2100 tourists arrive in Oman with first cruise ship call since start of COVID-19
The port of Khasab today welcomed the TUI Cruises cruise ship ‘Mein Schiff 6’, carrying more than 2,100 tourists from around the world. This event marks the start of the new marine tourism season and represents an important step towards the recovery of tourism in Oman, consolidating the Sultanate as one of the leading cruise destinations in the region.
On the ship’s arrival, senior officials from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, as well as experts from the Office of the Minister of State and the Governor of Musandam, were on hand to welcome visitors. This is the first time that a cruise ship has called at Oman’s ports, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This call follows the approval of the protocol for the resumption of cruise activities, which guarantees a safe resumption of operations.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in close collaboration with the relevant authorities, has put in place all the necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, in accordance with the directives of the Supreme Committee.
Cruise and luxury yacht tourism is one of the most promising sectors for the economy of the Sultanate of Oman. This type of tourism not only promotes the country as a major regional and international tourist destination, but also helps to create jobs and increase gross domestic product. Oman attracts the world’s leading shipping companies, organising tourist excursions for cruise passengers to various cultural and natural sites.
During the 2018/2019 season, the Sultanate recorded a 45% increase in the number of visitors arriving on cruises, reaching 283,000 visitors compared to 193,000 in the previous season (2017/2018).
