Muscat, April 21 - The aviation and tourism sector in Oman continued to increase steadily in line with the expectations of the government, reveal the latest figures of the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The number of passengers handled by the Muscat International Airport is over 14 million in 2017 while the number of hotels in the three to five star category increased by around 3.4 per cent.
The number of international arrival passengers at Muscat airport increased by 10.1 per cent to 1.7 million at the end of March 2018, compared with 1.5 million for the same period in 2017.
The number of international passengers departing Muscat airport increased by 10.3 per cent to 1.7 million at the end of March 2018, compared with 1.5 million for the same period in 2017.
The number of passengers who used the Muscat airport increased by 93,430 (both international and domestic) between end of February and end of March 2018.
There has been a drop in the number of transit passengers by 48.6 per cent to 4,954 at the end of March 2018, compared with 9,641 passengers for the same period in 2017.
However, there has been an increase of 8.8 per cent in total arrivals till the end of March 2018, compared to the same period last year. Total departures till the end of March also increased by 8.9 per cent, compared to the same period last year.
There has been increase of 11.5 per cent in the total revenue of the hotel (3-5 stars) with 276,000 guests till the end of February 2018 compared to the same period 2017.
The occupancy of three to five star hotels increased by 8.8 per cent at the end of February, compared to the same period last year.
It may be noted that Muscat airport won honours at the World Travel Awards as the Middle East’s leading new tourism development project in 2018.
The world Travel Awards in its 25th session, held in Ras Al Khaimah, is rated among the world’s most prestigious awards for the travel and tourism sector.
Oman Air was also honoured with trophies for both Middle East’s Leading Airline — Business Class: and Middle East’s Leading Airline — Economy Class.
Vinod Nair
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