Tourist arrivals rise 156.7% to 321,031 in Feb

Tourist arrivals rise 156.7% to 321,031 in Feb

Tourist arrivals rise 156.7% to 321,031 in Feb

12 Apr 2023

By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Muscat – Oman’s tourism sector received a shot in the arm with the onset of the winter season. Tourist numbers continued to grow registering a 156.7 per cent increase to 321,031 in February, compared to the same period in 2022, according to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.

With 36,896 visitors arriving from the UAE, the Emirates was the largest source market of tourists to Oman in February. The UAE was followed by visitors from India (16,211), Germany (5,406), France (5,206), the UK (4,989), Yemen (4,958), China (1,412) and Italy (1,051).

According to the ministry, there are sufficient indicators signalling the recovery of the tourism sector in the sultanate.

Following the rise in tourist arrivals, revenues of 3- to 5-star hotels increased 68 per cent to RO49.4mn till the end of February this year, compared to RO29.42mn in the same period in 2022.

According to the latest figures of National Centre for Statistics and Information, the number of guests in star hotels registered an increase of 37.4 per cent to 357,810 till February 2023, compared to 260,450 in February 2022, while occupancy rate was 61.5 per cent, compared to 44.8 per cent during