Overview
The tourism sector in Oman employs ~45,000 direct workers with an Omanisation rate of ~42%. Workforce development is a critical enabler of Vision 2040 objectives, requiring targeted interventions in skills training, career pathway development, and nationalisation policies tailored to sector-specific needs.
Key Indicators
| Indicator | Current | 2040 Target |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Employment | ~45,000 direct | See 2040 targets |
| Omanisation Rate | ~42% | See 2040 targets |
| Key Employers | Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman T… | Expanding |
Analysis
Workforce composition in Oman’s tourism sector reflects both historical development patterns and emerging skill requirements. The current Omanisation rate of ~42% indicates moderate progress toward nationalisation targets. Key employers including Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman Tourism Development Co., Muriya, Kempinski, Anantara are implementing structured training programmes. However, skills gaps persist in technical specialisations, middle management, and digital competencies. The sector must balance rapid Omanisation with maintaining operational excellence and international competitiveness.
Challenges
Skills mismatch between education outputs and sector requirements remains the primary workforce challenge. Limited airlift capacity, seasonal demand concentration, shortage of mid-range accommodation, low brand awareness compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and infrastructure gaps in remote tourism sites. Additionally, retaining Omani talent in the face of competition from government and higher-paying sectors requires innovative compensation and career development frameworks.
Opportunities
Structured apprenticeship programmes, industry-academia partnerships, and TVET alignment with sector needs can accelerate workforce readiness. Eco-tourism and adventure tourism niches, cruise tourism via Muscat port expansion, medical tourism leveraging new hospital capacity, cultural heritage trails, and MICE (meetings/incentives/conferences) segment growth.
Vision 2040 Targets
Reach 10 million visitors annually; increase GDP share to over 10 percent; develop 30,000+ additional hotel rooms; create 500,000 tourism-related jobs; achieve 60 percent Omanisation in hospitality.