Muscat – Minister of Heritage and Tourism, His Excellency Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, highlighted that while the restructuring of the national carrier is expected to have a direct impact on Oman’s tourism sector, the ministry is actively working on strategies to mitigate these effects.

In a recent interview with a local radio station, the Minister underscored the potential challenges posed by the route reductions but emphasised the ministry’s proactive approach to maintaining tourism growth. He stated that the focus is now on tapping into emerging markets, including China, Russia, and the Far East, with the goal of attracting three million tourists from these regions.

The minister also expressed confidence that the restructuring of Oman Air is in line with the ministry’s long-term goals, adding that he is optimistic the airline will recover and regain financial stability by next year.

To counterbalance the impact of reduced air connectivity, the ministry is expanding its charter flight operations. The charter flight model, which proved successful in Dhofar—where 500 charter flights were received between October 2023 and April 2024—will now be extended to other key regions, including Muscat, Sohar, and Musandam, particularly following the completion of the new Musandam Airport.

Additionally, the ministry is working to reinstate routes that were previously suspended by international carriers. His Excellency Mahrouqi revealed that the ministry is offering incentives to encourage these airlines to resume services to Oman, further bolstering connectivity.

These efforts align with the Ministry’s broader goal of enhancing Oman’s competitiveness as a top tourist destination despite current limitations in airline availability. In support of this, the ministry is encouraging local businesses to register with the Oman Tourism Hub, a platform designed to boost participation in both domestic and international tourism promotion campaigns.