This Middle East country eyes record 7 lakh Indian tourists in 2024. It's not UAE or Saudi Arabia

Oman is eyeing a record-breaking inflow of over seven lakh Indian tourists in 2024, surpassing last year’s high of six lakh, as the West Asian nation emerges as a favoured travel destination in the region, according to senior officials from Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.

The country’s stunning landscapes—ranging from rugged mountains and golden deserts to picturesque beaches along the Arabian Sea—are making it an interesting destination in the Middle East.

In 2023, over six lakh Indian tourists visiting Oman made India one of the largest contributors to the country’s tourism sector.

Officials expressed confidence that this upward trajectory would continue, thanks to sustained efforts to build world-class infrastructure to cater to tourists.

Among the key attractions are the Oman Across the Ages Museum, the Musandam zipline—dubbed the longest in the region—the Naseem Adventure Park in Jabal Akhdar, and the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat.

While Oman remains open to visitors year-round, the cooler months from October to March are considered the best time to explore the country’s charms.

Oman officials say their country advocates sustainable and responsible tourism.

"We are aggressively and proactively engaged in our activities to promote India in Oman," an official said.

"Every year, we host our flagship Roadshow event, in four or five metro cities where the Indian travel trade gets a priceless opportunity to interact directly with the Tourism Ministry delegation and also the top private players from Oman consisting of airlines, DMCs and five-star hotels," the official added.

Oman hosts a sizeable Indian community totalling approximately 664,783 individuals as of August 2024, according to the Government of Oman.

Oman is a crucial pillar of India's West Asia Policy and its oldest regional strategic partner. The political engagement between the two countries has increasingly taken on a more strategic shape, according to the Embassy of India in Muscat.