MUSCAT: Oman’s tourism sector has been badly hit due to the coronavirus pandemic, Minister of Heritage and Tourism said on Sunday.

Addressing the Majlis Al Shura, His Excellency Salim bin Mohammad Al Mahrouqi said there has been a 63 per cent drop in revenues in 2020 compared to 2019. “Tourism sector has bene badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic since the first quarter of last year, which led to a decrease of 75%, bringing the number of visitors to 875,000. The number of hotel guests decreased by 52%, and this was reflected in its revenues, a decrease of 63% compared to 2019,” Al Mahrouqi pointed out.

Over the past years, the tourism sector witnessed a steady growth. “The tourism sector has witnessed a steady growth in its indicators over the past years, bringing the sector’s total production to OMR 1.3 billion by the end of 2019, with a direct added value of OMR 718 million, compared to 700 million riyals in 2018, forming 2.5% of GDP,” the Minister added.