The Ministry of Economy in Muscat, Oman has recently launched the ‘Governorates Tourism’ initiative, which aims to stimulate and support the tourism sector in the Sultanate. This initiative will focus on promoting lower-tier projects in the tourism sector, such as tourist attractions, springs, valleys, and ancient lanes, in a way that benefits the local economy in the governorates. The goal is to develop local communities, small and medium enterprises, and create new job opportunities for people in the governorates, ultimately boosting the local economy by supporting projects that have comparative advantages in each region.
Dr. Nasser Rashid Al Ma’awali, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, stated that the ‘Governorates Tourism’ initiative is part of a larger effort to transform the economy of Oman and enhance the spatial dimension of development in all governorates. By creating competition among governorates for tourism projects and attracting investors to each region, this initiative aims to improve tourist destinations and achieve comprehensive and balanced growth throughout the country. The initiative also aims to enhance economic diversification efforts, promote local content, and provide job opportunities for Omanis that stimulate economic potential and enhance competitiveness within the governorates.
Under this initiative, governorates are invited to submit their projects for consideration, with the best projects being selected through a technical committee based on specific criteria in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. The total value of the award for selected projects is OMR15 million, which may be awarded to one or several governorates based on the quality and potential impact of the proposed projects. The application process for the award will begin this year, with the results set to be announced in 2025.
Dr. Nasser Rashid Al Ma’awali emphasized that the projects selected under the ‘Governorates Tourism’ initiative will contribute to increasing the number of local and international visitors to Oman, thus boosting the contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s gross domestic product. In addition, these projects will help to boost local communities, develop small and medium enterprises, and enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector in the governorates. By focusing on projects with potential for growth and sustainability, the initiative aims to create long-term benefits for the local economies in each region.
Overall, the ‘Governorates Tourism’ initiative in Oman represents a significant step towards promoting sustainable tourism development and economic growth in the country. By encouraging competition and investment in tourism projects in different governorates, the initiative aims to create new job opportunities, boost local economies, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the tourism sector. With the support of the Ministry of Economy and other relevant authorities, this initiative has the potential to drive positive change and growth in the tourism sector, ultimately benefiting local communities and businesses across Oman.
