Oman tourism: India emerges as a strategic growth market

Oman remains confident about the outlook for international tourism in 2026 despite geopolitical uncertainties and the ongoing conflict in West Asia. India has emerged as one of Oman's most important international source markets, with strong visitor growth in the first half of 2026. Oman is also investing in destination promotion, trade partnerships and new attractions to encourage longer stays and repeat visits.

The Pioneer spoke with Yousuf Khalaf Al Mujaizi, Assistant Director of Business Development, Tourism Promotion Directorate, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, about Oman's tourism ambitions, the growing importance of the Indian market.

With geopolitical tensions in West Asia continuing, how confident is Oman in international tourism in 2026?

Geopolitical developments can influence travel sentiment, and it is natural for travelers and the tourism industry to monitor developments closely. At the same time, Oman remains cautiously confident in its tourism outlook for 2026, supported by the continued strength of our source markets, connectivity and the growing diversity of experiences we offer international visitors.

Our focus is to remain responsive to developments while maintaining close engagement with our travel trade, airline and international tourism partners.

We therefore remain focused on building long-term confidence in Oman as a destination-not simply by responding to short-term sentiment, but by continuing to strengthen the fundamentals that make the country an attractive choice for international travelers.

India has become an increasingly important market for Oman. What do the latest visitor numbers tell you?

India continues to reinforce its position as one of Oman's most strategically important source markets. Between January and June 2026, Oman welcomed 381,305 Indian visitors, while May recorded 81,797 visitors, making it the strongest month in recent decades.

Beyond the numbers, the more significant development is the changing perception of Oman among Indian travellers. Oman is increasingly moving beyond being viewed as a niche destination and becoming a considered choice for travellers seeking authentic, experience-led holidays.

It is not simply about more people visiting Oman; it is about growing confidence in Oman as a destination and the increasing maturity of the India-Oman tourism relationship.

Are you looking for volume or higher-value tourism from India?

Our ambition goes beyond increasing visitor numbers. India has evolved into one of Oman's cornerstone source markets, and our focus is on building a resilient, high-value and sustainable tourism relationship.

Indian travellers have increasingly diverse interests, including heritage and culture, luxury, adventure, wellness, marine tourism, MICE and family travel. We want Oman to be seen as a year-round destination offering authentic experiences for different types of visitors.

Our priority is to build long-term demand through sustained destination awareness, deeper engagement with travel trade and airline partners, and stronger efforts to encourage repeat visitation.

What is driving the current growth in business between Oman and the Indian tourism industry?

The growth is the result of sustained market development over several years. We have consistently engaged with travel trade, airline partners, media and content creators to keep Oman visible and relevant to Indian travellers.

Over the past year, we have strengthened trade relationships through destination training programmes, joint marketing initiatives, familiarisation visits and strategic media engagement.

A significant milestone was Focus Oman 2025, which brought together more than 150 travel industry stakeholders from across India.

Our objective is to build meaningful, long-term partnerships with the Indian travel industry and inspire more travellers to discover that every visit to Oman can offer a different story.

How important are new attractions such as Snow Oman in attracting international tourists?

Snow Oman is an excellent example of how Oman's tourism offering is evolving while complementing its established natural and cultural attractions. Oman is known for its mountains, coastline, deserts and heritage, but alongside these timeless experiences, newer leisure and entertainment offerings are adding a different dimension to the visitor experience, particularly for families and younger travellers.

What makes the destination particularly appealing is this contrast. Visitors can explore centuries-old forts, experience the coastline and later enjoy an indoor snow park during the same holiday. One distinctive feature is its resident colony of Gentoo and King penguins, offering an experience many visitors do not expect to find in Oman.

Snow Oman welcomes an average of around 350,000 guests annually, demonstrating strong demand for contemporary leisure and entertainment. Attractions such as the Roller Glider and Frozen Shipwreck appeal to different age groups, while the facility has also received international recognition, including the MENALAC Award for Best Design for a Leisure & Entertainment Facility.

Beyond leisure, Snow Oman has developed into a venue for sporting events, community initiatives and international collaborations, strengthening its role within Oman's tourism and entertainment ecosystem.

What is your message to Indian travellers unfamiliar with Oman?

For Indian travelers, there is already a strong foundation of familiarity between our two countries. Oman and India share centuries of trade and cultural exchange, and those connections remain visible today, including in Oman's culinary landscape, where Indian cuisine and restaurants have become a familiar part of everyday life. This creates a sense of connection for Indian visitors, while still offering them the opportunity to discover the distinct culture, landscapes and experiences of Oman. Oman offers a distinctive combination of heritage, culture, mountains, deserts, coastline, adventure, hospitality and increasingly diverse leisure experiences. For Indian travelers, there are many ways to experience Oman, whether through a family holiday, luxury escape, adventure trip, cultural journey, wellness experience or business event.

The writer is an Associate Editor (Foreign Affairs) at The Pioneer; Views presented are personal.