MUSCAT – Oman’s tourism sector has increased its contribution to the national economy and attracted billions of dollars in investments since 2020, underscoring its growing role in the sultanate’s economic diversification drive, the minister of heritage and tourism said.

Speaking at a media briefing in Muscat, the His Excellency Sayyid Ibrahim Al Busaidi, described the heritage and tourism sectors as among the main pillars supporting diversification policies, highlighting gains achieved between 2020 and 2025.

“The tourism sector’s contribution to gross domestic product rose from 1.6% in 2020 to about 2.7% by the end of 2024,” he said.

Under Oman’s current five-year development plan, tourism investments are estimated at around 2.6 billion rials ($6.8 billion), with projects progressing across multiple phases. In parallel, investments are being implemented in more than 12 integrated tourism complexes, aimed at strengthening Oman’s appeal as a regional tourism and investment destination.

“In the heritage sector, Oman recorded qualitative achievements, including the inscription of five cultural sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and seven natural and cultural sites on the tentative list”, the minister said.

He added that restoration and rehabilitation work had been carried out on several historical landmarks, alongside the publication of 50 academic studies documenting Oman’s civilisational and cultural legacy.