Oman’s hotel occupancy rate registered a growth of 2.2 per cent as over 598, 000 guests stayed in the country’s 3-to-5-star hotels till the end of March 2024. By the same period, the Sultanate of Oman reported an 8.3 per cent increase in the percentage of total hotel revenues (3-5) stars until the end of March 2024 which marked an increase of 12.1 per cent to 598,128, compared to 533,790 during the corresponding period in 2023.
According to statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), revenues of 3-5-star hotels in Oman stood at RO 71,907 million at the end of March 2024, up by 8.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.
All these indicate that Oman has become a highly sought-after destination. Europeans topped the number of guests in hotels, with their numbers reaching 217,284 (23.9 per cent high), 189,275 Omani guests (an increase of 2.3 per cent), and 79,415 were Asian guests citizens (an increase of 21.6 per cent).
However, the guests from GCC countries fell by 2.7 per cent to 32,283, the number of African guests fell by 7.7 per cent to reach 2,735 and the number of guests from Oceanian countries fell by 31.4 per cent to 8,661 guests.
In 2023, over 2 million guests opted to experience the Sultanate of Oman’s hospitality and cultural richness and at least half a dozen of global hospitality brands have entered or are entering the country, which is a promising indicator of growing interest in the country as a travel destination.
In addition, the occupancy rates in 3-5 star hotels rose from 44.1 per cent in 2022 to 48.1 per cent in 2023, marking an increasing demand for accommodations, thanks to the demand for Oman as a perfect holiday destination and far-reaching investment opportunities in the sector.
Some of the global brands, which have either had soft opening or are all set to open in Oman, are highly expected to take the travel and tourism sector of the country to greater levels.
They include Mövenpick, St Regis Al Mouj Muscat, Anantara Bandar Al Khairan, Muscat, Four Seasons Resort Muscat, Mandarin Oriental Muscat, Nikki Beach Resort and Spa and Aida.
The arrival of these major hospitality players in Oman is considered to be a boost to the national drive to smart hotels and sustainable tourism and an attraction for visitors from all across the world. This can have a far-flung impact enhancing the demand for Oman as a perfect holiday destination and far-reaching investment opportunities in the sector.
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