RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Oman discussed the prospect of launching a uniform tourist visa and a joint tourism calendar as part of efforts to enhance tourism collaboration. The focus on these topics took center stage during the visit of the Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, to Oman.
During the visit, several joint tourism initiatives and programs were launched, with the aim of attracting international tourists as well as citizens and expatriates from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Al-Khateeb and Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salim Al Mahrouqi, discussed the possibility of introducing a unified tourist visa, organizing seasonal trips between the two nations, and implementing a joint tourism calendar.
One of the key initiatives emphasized the need to promote trade and investment cooperation, particularly in tourism-related projects, while also supporting entrepreneurs interested in the tourism sector of both countries.
Furthermore, the initiatives encompassed training and development of human resources in the tourism industry, in line with the Gulf Tourism Strategy 2023-2030, which received approval from the leaders of the GCC nations in December last year.
Joint Tourism Programs Between Saudi Arabia and Oman
In their meeting, the officials agreed to launch initial joint tourism initiatives covering areas such as promotion, marketing, tourism activation, regulations, cooperation in air connections, and seasonal flights. The two sides also reached an understanding on implementing joint tourism programs in camping and adventure tourism, developing a calendar of joint tourism events, and establishing a program to support small and medium enterprises in the tourism sector.
The statistics show promising growth in tourism between Saudi Arabia and Oman. The number of tourists from Oman visiting the Kingdom during the first quarter of 2023 reached approximately 164,000, reflecting a remarkable growth rate of 136 percent compared to the same period in 2022. Their spending during this period amounted to approximately SR310 million, demonstrating a growth rate of 71 percent.
Likewise, the number of tourists departing from the Kingdom to Oman during the first quarter of this year reached around 49,000, marking a growth rate of 92 percent compared to the same period in 2022. The growth rate of spending by tourists departing from the Kingdom to Oman increased by 117 percent, reaching SR213 million.
