Saudi Arabia and Oman are actively working to enhance travel within the Gulf region by exploring collaborative tourism ventures. The commitment to reinforce this sector was marked by a virtual meeting aimed at activating the Saudi-Omani partnership in tourism.
The discussion, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency, revolved around the promotion of sustainable tourism and the positioning of the Gulf as a prime tourist destination. Moreover, both nations are considering an increase in the frequency of seasonal flights, a move that is in line with the broader Gulf Tourism Strategy.
The session was led by Sultan Al-Musallam, the Saudi Deputy Minister of Tourism for International Affairs, and featured the participation of Azzan Al-Busaidi, the Omani undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, among other high-ranking officials.
The objective of these discussions is to draw a greater international tourist base to the region by forging strategic partnerships and initiating joint tourism programs. This follows previous dialogues held in October, where enhancing cooperation in economic zones and cities to augment trade was a focal point.
Investment opportunities and incentives for the integrated economic zone project in Dhahirah were reviewed during a Riyadh meeting, with the Oman News Agency highlighting the project’s potential impact on trade volume between the two countries. The committee in charge is tasked with devising a development strategy for the Omani zone and ensuring the implementation of all related initiatives.
In a separate June encounter, Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb and his Omani counterpart, Salim Al-Mahrouqi, agreed on the prospect of a unified tourist visa to facilitate travel. They also discussed establishing a joint tourism calendar and enabling seasonal travel opportunities.
The ministers’ dialogue extended to enhancing cooperation in tourism investments, supporting industry entrepreneurs, and rolling out joint tourism programs with a focus on camping and adventure excursions.