The Shura Council discussed the statement of H.E. Salim Mohammed al-Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, where comprehensive discussions were held by the Excellencies members of the council. These discussions focused on the importance of developing the heritage and tourism sectors and increasing their contribution to the GDP, especially since the Sultanate of Oman is rich in historical and heritage assets, in addition to the diverse landscapes and distinctive tourist sites. The need to maximize partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises in the heritage and tourism sectors was also highlighted.

This came as a part  of the eighth regular session of the second ordinary meeting of the Council's tenth term (2024-2025), held under the chairmanship of H.E. Khalid  Hilal al-Mawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, and the attendance of the Council members and H.E. Ahmed Mohammed al-Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council.
 

Speech of the Chairman of the Council

The session began with a speech from the Chairman of the Council, in which he said: “It is my pleasure, on behalf of myself and on behalf of you, the esteemed members, and the staff of the General Secretariat, to extend the highest congratulations and blessings to His Majesty Sultan Haitham Tariq, on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr. May this blessed occasion be repeated and may it bring him many happy years, good health, and long life, and may it be a source of joy and blessings to the Omani people and the Islamic nation.”

Statement of the Minister of Heritage and Tourism

H.E. the Minister of Heritage and Tourism delivered his ministry’s statement, which covered six main topic identified by the Council earlier. The first topic addressed the ministry's plans and programs implemented in the heritage and tourism sectors and their alignment with the priorities of Oman Vision 2040. This also included the ministry's view of incorporating future projects to develop these sectors in the upcoming 11th Five-Year Plan.

The second topic focused on analyzing the tourism balance during the current Five-Year Plan and expectations for the next plan. This included evaluating tourism spending in various aspects, assessing the impact of domestic tourism on the overall sector’s output, and evaluating the growth prospects of the sector, as well as reviewing current integrated tourism projects and their investment value, job opportunities, and connections with other economic sectors.

The third topic addressed the management of the heritage sector, focusing on the management of Omani cultural heritage (both public and private), the ministry’s efforts to sustain it, and the management of historical and archaeological sites (documentation, preservation, and maintenance). It also covered the contribution of the heritage sector to GDP and its future development, along with the ministry's vision and development plans for managing the sector.

The fourth topic discussed the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP, highlighting major tourism projects that aim to maximize the sector’s economic impact. It also touched on the impact of tourism-related legislation on increasing the sector's economic returns.

The fifth topic covered human resources in the heritage and tourism sectors, with the ministry’s efforts to determine supply and demand rates for national labor in these sectors, improve local employment rates, and enhance national workforce training and localization programs.

The sixth topic addressed coordination, development prospects, and investment opportunities, as well as cooperation between the ministry and the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) in developing the tourism sector in Oman. It also focused on empowering the private sector to invest in heritage and tourism sites and fostering partnerships with small and medium enterprises in these sectors, alongside policies to maximize local content in coordination with various partners.

The statement highlighted the ministry’s efforts over the past four years in several key programs, including the tourism sector recovery plan following the COVID-19 pandemic, updating tourism and cultural heritage legislation, expanding the restoration and maintenance programs for historical monuments, and developing world heritage sites.

Tourism Expenditure Analysis
The statement also revealed that total tourism expenditure in 2023 had increased by 8.7% compared to 2019, with air transport services leading the expenditure categories. Accommodation services also showed growth, indicating improved hotel services and diverse accommodation options. Food services also represented a significant part of tourism expenditure, indicating growth in the food and entertainment sectors.

Local tourism in Oman also saw significant growth, with a 13.2% increase in spending in 2023 compared to 2019. The total tourism expenditure (both inbound and domestic) rose by 10.5% in 2023 compared to 2019, reflecting improvements in infrastructure and services in sectors like transport and accommodation due to large investments.

Comprehensive Integrated Tourism Projects
The statement noted that integrated tourism complexes are strategic projects that not only attract foreign investments but also reduce the outflow of domestic investments abroad. These complexes play a crucial role in developing the tourism sector's infrastructure by increasing the number of hotel rooms, improving service quality, and providing residential areas and entertainment facilities that meet the needs of both local and international tourists.

By December 2024, 26 licenses had been granted for integrated tourism complexes across various governorates, including Muscat, Dhofar, South Sharqiyah, South Batinah, and Musandam, contributing nearly 90 hotel establishments, 19,361 hotel rooms, and 45,755 residential units, with investments totaling approximately 10.664 billion Omani Rials.

Heritage Sector Developments
In the heritage sector, the number of registered historical and archaeological sites rose from 3,525 in 2023 to 3,655 in 2024. The statement also highlighted progress in Oman’s global heritage recognition, with five sites registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, reflecting the country’s commitment to preserving its cultural and natural heritage.
Discussions by the Honorable Members
The statement, the honorable members of the council raised questions and provided observations regarding the details of the statement. They inquired about the efforts of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism during the 10th Five-Year Plan and its role in achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. They also discussed the contribution of the heritage and tourism sectors to the national income and the challenges facing their growth.
The members emphasized Oman’s efforts to enhance the tourism sector as part of Vision 2040, with the goal of diversifying the national economy, creating over 500,000 jobs by 2040, and attracting investments of around 19 billion Omani Rials. They also inquired about the sectors within tourism that attract the most investment and how local and international investors are incentivized.

They questioned how tourism could support entrepreneurship and provide opportunities for Omani youth, and how Oman is adapting to global changes such as digital transformation in the tourism sector.
The members also sought further details on the ministry’s strategy to enhance Omani ports and leverage the Sultanate’s geographic location to boost cruise and luxury yacht tourism, as well as plans for revitalizing old Omani districts in partnership with local communities.

The discussion concluded with a focus on supporting the tourism sector’s workforce during off-seasons, enhancing domestic tourism during holidays, and improving the infrastructure to attract international sporting events, along with the development of key tourism projects such as "Grand Oman Journey," which is part of Oman’s comprehensive tourism strategy.