While tourism has already been on the rise in Oman, the sultanate has just announced a new 20-year plan to drastically increase the number of annual visitors.
By 2040, the plan aims to double the number of tourists to reach five million. With the development of Musandam, the Frankincense Trail in Salalah, the Hajar Mountains, Muscat and the sultanate's deserts at the forefront, the plan aims to attract adventure tourists, the world's fastest growing tourism segment.
Currently, tourism is estimated to comprise just 2.5 percent of Oman's annual GDP. The sultanate hopes to increase this to 6 percent with the implementation of the new plan.
“The announcement of the 2040 tourism strategy for Oman provides us with a clearly defined and structured road map for future growth ensuring tourism becomes one of the most important economic pillars for the country’s future," Salim Al Mamari, director-general of tourism promotion at Oman’s Ministry of Tourism said, according to Arabian Business .
Some 500,000 new jobs will be created with the increased focus on tourism, and 75 percent of theses jobs will be reserved for Omani nationals.
Of course, anyone who has traveled to Oman knows that it is definitely worth a visit .