Home » Middle East » Why Oman’s tourism industry ranks 58th on the Henley Passport Power Index despite visa-free travel to 86 countries
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Reading time: 5 minutes
Oman’s international travel is underpinned by strategic international connectivity and visa-free access to numerous destinations. Omani citizens can travel visa-free to 86 countries, 38% of the world’s countries. This extensive access makes it easy for Oman to explore diverse cultures and regions, contributing to the global tourism economy. Reflected by a high economic mobility score of 15.76% with visa-free access to global GDP, Omani travelers are well positioned to engage in international business and leisure activities, fostering intercultural exchange and economic growth.
Oman is currently ranked 58th in the Henley Passport Index rankings. The country has a highly mobile economy with 15.76% of global GDP available for visa-free entry. Oman’s GDP accounts for 0.114% of the global economy, reflecting its growing economic presence. The country offers its citizens visa-free travel rights to 86 destinations, accounting for 38% of the world. This level of access promotes international business and tourism, enhancing Oman’s global connectivity and economic opportunities.
Oman’s Economy:
Oman’s economy is primarily driven by the oil sector, with fishing and trade thriving along the coast. Since oil was discovered in 1964, production and exports have increased dramatically. To reduce dependency on oil, the government has implemented a diversification strategy through privatization and Omanization policies. These efforts have led to a significant increase in Oman’s GDP per capita over the past 50 years, growing at an astounding rate of 339% in the 1960s and reaching a peak of 1,370% in the 1970s. Like any commodity, oil prices are subject to significant fluctuations and are often business-cyclical, spiking when demand exceeds supply and falling when the opposite is true.
Contribution to GDP:
Oman’s tourism sector is a significant contributor, accounting for 2.4% of the country’s GDP in 2022. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) expects the sector’s impact to grow significantly by 2024, predicting a contribution of 7.6%, or more than 3.3 billion Omani riyals ($8.5 billion). This projection implies a 69% increase in international visitor numbers from 2022, while domestic visitor spending is projected to increase to 1.5 billion Omani riyals ($3.9 billion). WTTC also predicts that the tourism sector will employ more than 206,000 people by 2024.
airport :
Muscat International Airport is Oman’s largest and most important airport. Located in the capital city of Muscat, it serves as a major hub for both domestic and international travel. The airport is well-connected, with 38 airlines serving 54 destinations worldwide. As the main gateway into Oman, Muscat International Airport plays a vital role in facilitating travel and trade, boosting the country’s transport and economic growth.
Airlines:
Oman’s largest airline, both in terms of scheduled passenger traffic and number of aircraft, is Oman Air. This well-known airline has a fleet of 50 aircraft and serves 53 domestic and international airports. Another major airline in Oman’s commercial passenger traffic is Salam Air, operating under the callsign “Mazoon”. Salam Air has a fleet of 11 aircraft and serves 33 destinations. These airlines form the backbone of Oman’s air travel industry, offering extensive connectivity both domestically and globally.
Rail network:
Oman’s railway network will span 2,224 kilometers across mountains and deserts. It is designed for high-speed trains, allowing passenger travel at speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour and freight travel at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. The network will use a standard 1,435 mm gauge double-track system. It will include 46 stations, eight marshalling yards, and nine intermodal yards, linking Oman’s major ports and cities (Muscat, Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah) to the UAE border and mineral resources. The trains will run on electricity provided by infrastructure built along the entire length of the network.
Visa Policy:
Omani passport holders can travel visa-free to 86 countries.
Armenia (VOA)Azerbaijan (VOA)BahamasBahrainBangladesh (VOA)BarbadosBelarusBermudaBolivia (VOA)BotswanaBruneiBurundi (VOA)Cambodia (VOA)Cape Verde Islands (VOA)Cayman IslandsColombiaComoros Islands (VOA)Cook IslandsDjibouti (VOA)DominicaEcuadorEgyptEthiopia (VOA)GeorgiaGuinea-Bissau (VOA)HaitiHong Kong (S.A.R. of China)Indonesia (VOA)Iran (VOA)Iraq (VOA)JordanKazakhstanKenya (ETA)KosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstan (VOA)Laos (VOA)LebanonMacau (S.A.R. of China) (VOA)MadagascarMalaysiaMaldives (VOA)Mauritania (VOA)MauritiusMicronesiaMoroccoMozambique (VOA)Nepal (VOA)New Zealand (ETA)Nicaragua(VOA)NiuePakistan (ETA)Palau Islands (VOA)Paraguay (VOA)PhilippinesQatarRwanda (VOA)Samoa (VOA)Saudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychelles (VOA)Sierra Leone (VOA )SingaporeSomalia (VOA)South Korea (ETA)Sri Lanka (ETA)Saint Kitts and NevisSaint. Vincent and the GrenadinesSurinameSyriaTajikistanTanzania (VOA)ThailandEast Timor (VOA)TunisiaTurkeyTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvalu (VOA)UkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom (ETA)UzbekistanVanuaYemen (VOA)Zambia
Omani international travel and travel trends
1. Popular Travel Destinations United Arab Emirates (UAE): Geographical proximity, cultural ties and numerous tourist attractions make the UAE a popular destination for Omani travellers. India: An important destination for family connections, medical tourism and business purposes. Thailand: Popular for medical tourism, affordable holiday packages and diverse tourist attractions. UK: Favoured for education, sightseeing and business travel. Malaysia and Indonesia: Known for their cultural attractions and natural beauty, they attract many Omani tourists. 2. Travel Preferences Short-haul destinations: Many Omanis prefer destinations with shorter flight distances, making weekend getaways and short breaks more feasible. Luxury travel: There is a growing trend among affluent Omanis to seek out luxury travel experiences, such as luxury resorts, exclusive tours and premium services. Family travel: Family travel remains important and destinations that offer family-friendly attractions and activities are highly preferred.Medical Tourism: Countries with advanced medical facilities such as India, Thailand and Germany are popular among Omanis seeking medical care abroad. 3. Seasonal Trends Summer Travel: During the hot summer months, many Omanis travel to cooler destinations in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Festive Seasons: International travel spikes during Eid holidays and other festive periods, with many families taking extended vacations to travel abroad. 4. Travel Motivations Shopping: Destinations with renowned shopping experiences such as Dubai and London are highly attractive to Omani tourists. Cultural Exploration: Interest in experiencing different cultures, cuisines and historical sites drives travel to various destinations around the world. Adventure and Leisure: There is growing interest in adventure travel, which includes activities such as skiing, scuba diving and hiking, and it has become especially popular in destinations such as Switzerland, Thailand and Australia. 5. Travel Modes and Packages
Group travel: Group travel, especially for religious pilgrimages (such as Hajj and Umrah), remains popular.
Travel Agents: Many Omanis prefer to book through travel agents who offer all-inclusive travel packages that include flights, accommodation and tours.
Customized travel: People are increasingly looking for personalized travel experiences, with itineraries tailored to their individual tastes and interests.
Oman’s strategic international connectivity coupled with extensive visa-free access to numerous countries has significantly strengthened Oman’s international travel sector. Omani nationals enjoy the privilege of visa-free travel to 86 destinations, 38% of the world’s countries. This accessibility not only encourages Omanis to explore diverse cultures and regions, but also contributes to the global tourism economy. With a notable economic mobility score and visa-free access to 15.76% of global GDP, Omani travelers are well positioned to engage in both business and leisure activities internationally. As Oman’s tourism sector continues to grow, its influence on the global stage is expected to increase, fostering intercultural exchange and economic growth.
