Oman celebrates Arab Tourism Day under the theme “Towards Sustainable Digital Tourism”
The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, celebrated Arab Tourism Day on February 25, coinciding with the birthday of the great Arab traveler Ibn Battuta. This year’s event took place under the theme “Towards Sustainable Digital Tourism,” highlighting the importance of technology in the future of tourism.
According to data published by the National Center for Statistics and Information, the total number of visitors arriving in Oman in 2021 reached 652,000, with visitors from Gulf countries being the most numerous, totaling 293,125 arrivals. Revenue generated by hotels rated between 3 and 5 stars reached approximately 102 million Omani rials, while the total number of guests in these hotels stood at 1.2 million by the end of December 2021.
The Ministry’s focus on digital transformation is crucial to keep pace with the evolution of modern communication technologies. The tourism sector is rapidly transforming to meet the new expectations of travelers, who are now seeking integrated experiences with digital tools.
The World Tourism Organization has emphasized that digital transformation is a priority for Arab countries, aiming to achieve levels comparable to those of advanced nations.
According to the World Economic Forum in Davos, digitization in the aviation, travel, and tourism sectors could generate an added value of $305 billion between 2019 and 2025. This includes a transfer of $100 billion from traditional sectors to new digital players and the creation of indirect benefits estimated at $700 billion, thanks to reduced environmental impact, improved safety, and savings in time and costs.
