MUSCAT : Omani citizens and expats have welcomed the government’s plan to grant visa exemption to citizens of more than 100 countries.
In the mid-term fiscal plan (2020-24) report, the Ministry of Finance highlighted the importance of boosting the tourism sector. “This will certainly boost tourism and will certainly help the economy too,” said a Rakesh Menon, a travel and tourism agent based in Muscat.
However, the authorities are yet to announce the date and list of nationalities who will be exempted from the requirement of a visa to enter the Sultanate.
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“This is an important step to activate the tourism sector which will boost our economy. The government needs to accelerate to strengthen the financial stability of the country,” said Mohammed Al Hashmi, a travel expert.
Airline industry officials have also echoed similar sentiments. “In this time of the pandemic, such decisions will give boost to our industry,” he added.
The government is planning to increase its revenues through various sources to OMR 12.1 billion and total spending of OMR 12.6 billion by the end of 2024, with the fiscal deficit reaching at about OMR 537 million.
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