Editing Oman (section)

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Oman}}
[[File:GDP per capita development in Oman.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|Historical development of real GDP per capita in Oman]]
Oman's Basic Statute of the State expresses in Article 11 that the "national economy is based on justice and the principles of a [[Market economy|free economy]]".<ref name=molabs /> By regional standards, Oman has a relatively diversified economy, but remains dependent on oil exports. In terms of monetary value, mineral fuels accounted for 82.2 percent of total product exports in 2018.<ref name=wteio>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldstopexports.com/omans-top-10-exports/|title=Oman's Top 10 Exports|date=10 July 2019|website=World's Top Exports|access-date=29 September 2019|archive-date=6 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006082624/https://www.worldstopexports.com/omans-top-10-exports/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tourism is the fastest-growing industry in Oman. Other sources of income, agriculture and industry, are small in comparison and account for less than 1% of the country's exports, but diversification is seen as a priority by the government. Agriculture, often [[subsistence]] in its character, produces [[Phoenix dactylifera|dates]], [[Lime (fruit)|limes]], [[Cereal|grains]] and vegetables, but with less than 1% of the country under [[Tillage|cultivation]], Oman is likely to remain a net importer of food.

Oman's socio-economic structure is described as being hyper-centralized [[Rentier state|rentier]] welfare state.<ref name=bti1/> The largest 10 percent of corporations in Oman are the employers of almost 80 percent of Omani nationals in the private sector. Half of the private sector jobs are classified as elementary. One third of employed Omanis are in the private sector, while the remaining majority are in the public sector.<ref name=RSIO>Elusive Employment: Development Planning and Labour Market Trends in Oman. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275830095_Elusive_Employment_Development_Planning_and_Labour_Market_Trends_in_Oman Development Planning and Labour Market Trends in Oman 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007193722/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275830095_Elusive_Employment_Development_Planning_and_Labour_Market_Trends_in_Oman |date=7 October 2022 }} Researchgate. September 2014.</ref> A hyper-centralized structure produces a monopoly-like economy.<ref name=bti1/>
[[File:MSM Main.JPG|thumb|left|[[Muscat Securities Market]]]]

Since a slump in oil prices in 1998, Oman has made active plans to diversify its economy and is placing a greater emphasis on other areas of industry, namely tourism and infrastructure. Oman had a 2020 Vision to diversify the economy established in 1995, which targeted a decrease in oil's share to less than 10 percent of GDP by 2020, but it was rendered obsolete in 2011. Oman then established 2040 Vision.<ref name=bti1>Oman Country Report. [https://www.bti-project.org/en/reports/country-reports/detail/itc/OMN/ Oman Country Report 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312141230/https://www.bti-project.org/en/reports/country-reports/detail/itc/OMN/ |date=12 March 2020 }} Transformation Index BTI. 2018.</ref> A [[Oman–United States Free Trade Agreement|free-trade agreement with the United States]] took effect 1 January 2009, which eliminated tariff barriers on all consumer and industrial products and provided strong protections for foreign businesses investing in Oman.<ref>[[Chemical & Engineering News]], 5 January 2009, "U.S.-Oman pact expands Free Trade", p. 18</ref> [[Tourism in Oman|Tourism]], another source of Oman's revenue, is on the rise.<ref name="englishplacenames"/>
 {{Pie chart
 | caption=Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Oman by country as of 2017<ref name=eoopaon/>
 | other = yes
 | label1 = United Kingdom
 | value1 = 48| color1 = silver
 | label2 = United Arab Emirates
 | value2 = 10.8 | color2 = #008
 | label3 = Kuwait
 | value3 = 4.6 | color3 = #08f
 }}

Oman's [[Migrant workers in the Gulf region|foreign workers]] send an estimated US$10 billion annually to their home states in Asia and Africa, more than half of them earning a monthly wage of less than US$400.<ref name="wsws.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/oct2005/oman-o28.shtml |title=Indian migrant workers in Oman speak to the WSWS |date=28 October 2005 |publisher=Wsws.org |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028035431/http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/oct2005/oman-o28.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The largest foreign community is from the Indian states of [[Kerala]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karnataka]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Gujarat]] and the [[Punjab, India|Punjab]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/antony-meets-indian-diaspora-in-omam_100365941.html |title=Antony meets Indian diaspora in Oman |publisher=Thaindian.com |date=18 May 2010 |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-date=12 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612025351/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/antony-meets-indian-diaspora-in-omam_100365941.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> representing more than half of entire workforce in Oman. Salaries for overseas workers are known to be less than for Omani nationals, though still from two to five times higher than for the equivalent job in India.<ref name="wsws.org"/>

In terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), total investments in 2017 exceeded US$24 billion. The highest share of FDI went to the oil and gas sector, which represented around US$13 billion (54.2 percent), followed by [[Financial intermediary|financial intermediation]], which represented US$3.66 billion (15.3 percent). FDI is dominated by the United Kingdom with an estimated value of US$11.56 billion (48 percent), followed by the UAE, with US$2.6 billion (10.8 percent), and Kuwait with US$1.1 billion (4.6 percent).<ref name=eoopaon/>

In 2018, Oman had a budget deficit of 32 percent of total revenue and a government debt-to-GDP ratio of 47.5 percent.<ref name=KPMG/><ref name=OmanCEIC>Oman Government Debt to GDP 2018. [https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/oman/government-debt--of-nominal-gdp CEIC report: Oman Government Debt to GDP 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017052659/https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/oman/government-debt--of-nominal-gdp |date=17 October 2022 }} ceicdata.com. 2018.</ref> Oman's military spending to GDP between 2016 and 2018 averaged 10 percent, while the world's average during the same period was 2.2 percent.<ref name=OMSB6a8>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=OM-1W|title=Military expenditure (% of GDP) – Oman, World &#124; Data|publisher=World Bank|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118010201/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=OM-1W|url-status=live}}</ref> Oman's health spending to GDP between 2015 and 2016 averaged 4.3 percent, while the world's average during the same period was 10 percent.<ref name=HSIOTW>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=1W-OM|title=Current health expenditure (% of GDP) – World, Oman &#124; Data|publisher=World Bank|access-date=5 September 2019|archive-date=25 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425044516/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=1W-OM|url-status=live}}</ref> Oman's research and development spending between 2016 and 2017 averaged 0.24 percent, which is significantly lower than the world's average (2.2 percent) during the same period.<ref name=HSRDIO>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS?locations=1W-OM|title=Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) – World, Oman &#124; Data|publisher=World Bank|access-date=5 September 2019|archive-date=25 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425044517/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS?locations=1W-OM|url-status=live}}</ref> Oman's government spending on education to GDP in 2016 was 6.11 percent, while the world's average was 4.8 percent (2015).<ref name=OMSB6a81>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS?locations=OM-1W|title=Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP) – Oman, World &#124; Data|publisher=World Bank|access-date=5 September 2019|archive-date=25 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425044515/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS?locations=OM-1W|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Bar chart
| title       = Oman's Spending in 2016 
| label_type  = Type
| data_type   = Spending (% of GDP)<ref name=OE1>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS?end=2017&locations=OM&start=1986&view=chart|title=Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP)|publisher=The World Bank|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929152350/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS?end=2017&locations=OM&start=1986&view=chart|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=OE2>{{cite web|url=https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/oman/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS|title=Military expenditure (% of GDP)|publisher=indexmundi|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=11 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411115727/https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/oman/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=OE3>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS?locations=OM|title=Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)|publisher=The World Bank|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=7 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007053203/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS?locations=OM|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=OE4>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=OM|title=health expenditure (% of GDP)|publisher=The World Bank|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=20 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120072109/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=OM|url-status=live}}</ref>
| bar_width   = 35
| width_units = em
| data_max    = 30
| label1      = Military spending
| data1       = 13.73
| label2      = Education spending
| data2       = 6.11
| label3      = Health spending
| data3       = 4.30
| label4      = Research & Development spending
| data4       = 0.26
}}

=== Oil and gas ===
[[File:Sohar flickr01.jpg|thumb|right|Petrochemical tanks in [[Sohar]]]]
Oman's proved reserves of petroleum total about 5.5&nbsp;billion barrels, 25th largest in the world.<ref name="pop"/> Oil is extracted and processed by [[Petroleum Development Oman]] (PDO), with proven oil reserves holding approximately steady, although oil production has been declining.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indexmundi.com/oman/oil_proved_reserves.html |title=Oman: proven oil reserves |publisher=Indexmundi.com |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425044528/https://www.indexmundi.com/oman/oil_proved_reserves.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Oman: Energy data |publisher=[[Energy Information Administration|EIA]] |url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabs/Oman/Oil.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302093656/http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabs/Oman/Oil.html |archive-date=2 March 2011 |access-date=16 February 2009}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Energy and Minerals (Oman)|Ministry of Energy and Minerals]] is responsible for all oil and gas infrastructure and projects in Oman.<ref>{{cite web|title=Home|url=http://www.mog.gov.om/english/tabid/54/Default.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Energy and Minerals|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811004242/http://mog.gov.om/english/tabid/54/Default.aspx|archive-date=11 August 2013|access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> Following the [[1970s energy crisis]], Oman doubled their oil output between 1979 and 1985.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Lessons from the 1986 Oil Price Collapse |first=Dermot |last=Gately |journal=Brookings Papers on Economic Activity |issue=2 |year=1986 |page=239 |url=http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Projects/BPEA/1986-2/1986b_bpea_gately_adelman_griffin.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509062905/http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Projects/BPEA/1986-2/1986b_bpea_gately_adelman_griffin.PDF |archive-date=9 May 2016 }}</ref>

In 2018, oil and gas represented 71 percent of the government's revenues.<ref name=KPMG>Oman budget 2019 KPMG Insights. [https://home.kpmg/om/en/home/insights/2019/01/2019omanbudget.html KPMG: Oman budget 2019 KPMG Insights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823233443/https://home.kpmg/om/en/home/insights/2019/01/2019omanbudget.html |date=23 August 2022 }} KPMG. 2019.</ref> In 2016, oil and gas share of the government's revenue represented 72 percent.<ref name=KPMG1>Oman's 2017 budget: An analysis. [https://home.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2017/01/tnf-oman-jan18-2017.pdf KPMG: Oman's 2017 budget: An analysis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904232437/https://home.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2017/01/tnf-oman-jan18-2017.pdf |date=4 September 2019 }} KPMG. 2017.</ref> The government's reliance on oil and gas as a source of income dropped by 1 percent from 2016 to 2018. Oil and gas sector represented 30.1 percent of the nominal GDP in 2017.<ref name=ooag>{{cite web| url = https://cbo.gov.om/sites/assets/Documents/English/Publications/AnnualReports/AnnualReport2017eng.pdf| title = Central Bank of Oman Annual Report 2017}}</ref>

Between 2000 and 2007, production fell by more than 26%, from 972,000 to 714,800 [[barrels per day]].<ref name=tnock>{{cite web|title=Oman the comeback kid of oil|url=http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/energy/oman-the-comeback-kid-of-oil|work=The National|date=9 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231031303/http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/energy/oman-the-comeback-kid-of-oil|archive-date=31 December 2012}}</ref> Production has recovered to 816,000 barrels in 2009, and 930,000 barrels per day in 2012.<ref name=tnock/> Oman's natural gas reserves are estimated at 849.5&nbsp;billion cubic metres, ranking 28th in the world, and production in 2008 was about 24&nbsp;billion cubic metres per year.<ref name="pop"/>

In September 2019, Oman was confirmed to become the first Middle Eastern country to host the [[International Gas Union]] Research Conference (IGRC 2020). This 16th iteration of the event will be held between 24 and 26 February 2020, in collaboration with [[Oman LNG]], under the auspices of the [[Ministry of Energy and Minerals (Oman)|Ministry of Energy and Minerals]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessliveme.com/economy/energy-news/oilgas/oman-to-host-international-gas-union-research-conference-in-2020/|title=Oman to host International Gas Union Research Conference in 2020|access-date=5 September 2019|website=Business Live Middle East|date=5 September 2019|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805194828/https://www.businessliveme.com/economy/energy-news/oilgas/oman-to-host-international-gas-union-research-conference-in-2020/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Industry, innovation and infrastructure ===
In industry, innovation and infrastructure, Oman is still faced with "significant challenges", as per United Nations Sustainable Development Goals index, as of 2019. Oman has scored high on the rates of internet use, mobile broadband subscriptions, logistics performance and on the average of top 3 university rankings. Meanwhile, Oman scored low on the rate of scientific and technical publications and on research & development spending.<ref name=UNSD3/> Oman's manufacturing value added to GDP rate in 2016 was 8.4 percent, which is lower than the average in the Arab world (9.8 percent) and world average (15.6 percent). In terms of research & development expenditures to GDP, Oman's share was on average 0.20 percent between 2011 and 2015, while the world's average during the same period was 2.11 percent.<ref name=UNSD4>Sustainable Development: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. [https://sdg-tracker.org/infrastructure-industrialization Sustainable Development: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221114034/https://sdg-tracker.org/infrastructure-industrialization |date=21 December 2019 }} United Nations. 2019.</ref> The majority of firms in Oman operate in the oil and gas, construction and trade sectors.<ref name=unedp/> 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Non-hydrocarbon GDP growth!! 2015 !! 2016 !! 2017 !! 2018
|-
| Value (%)<ref name=IMFReport>2019 Article IV Consultation with Oman. [https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2019/07/03/pr19266-imf-executive-board-concludes-2019-article-iv-consultation-with-oman IMF Executive Board Concludes 2019 Article IV Consultation with Oman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008220143/https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2019/07/03/pr19266-imf-executive-board-concludes-2019-article-iv-consultation-with-oman |date=8 October 2019 }} IMF. 3 July 2019.</ref> || 4.8|| 6.2 || 0.5|| 1.5
|}

Oman is refurbishing and expanding the ports infrastructure in Muscat, Duqm, Sohar and Salalah to expand tourism, local production and export shares. Oman is also expanding its downstream operations by constructing a refinery and petrochemical plant in Duqm with a 230,000 barrels per day capacity projected for completion by 2021.<ref name=eoopaon>Oman – Market Overview. [https://www.export.gov/article?id=Oman-Market-Overview Oman – Market Overview (US Export.gov) 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913055903/https://www.export.gov/article?id=Oman-Market-Overview |date=13 September 2019 }} export.gov. 2018.</ref> The majority of industrial activity in Oman takes place in eight industrial states and four free-zones. The industrial activity is mainly focused on mining-and-services, petrochemicals and construction materials.<ref name=unedp/> The largest employers in the private-sector are the construction, wholesale-and-retail and manufacturing sectors, respectively. Construction accounts for nearly 48 percent of the total labour force, followed by wholesale-and-retail, which accounts for around 15 percent of total employment and manufacturing, which accounts for around 12 percent of employment in the private sector. The percentage of Omanis employed in the construction and manufacturing sectors is nevertheless low, as of 2011 statistics.<ref name=RSIO/>

Oman, as per [[Global Innovation Index]] (2019) report, scores "below expectations" in innovation relative to countries classified under high income.<ref name=OBEII>[https://www.globalinnovationindex.org/Home Global Innovation Index Organization 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714081715/https://www.globalinnovationindex.org/Home |date=14 July 2018 }} Global Innovation Index Organization. 2019.</ref> In 2019, Oman ranked 80 out of 129 countries in innovation index, which takes into consideration factors, such as, political environment, education, infrastructure and business sophistication.<ref name=romigi>[http://statisticstimes.com/ranking/global-innovation-index.php 2019 Global Innovation Index Rankings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928182746/http://statisticstimes.com/ranking/global-innovation-index.php |date=28 September 2019 }} Global Innovation Index Rankings. 2019.</ref> Innovation, technology-based growth and economic diversification are hindered by an economic growth that relies on infrastructure expansion, which heavily depends on a high percentage of 'low-skilled' and 'low-wage' foreign labour. Another challenge to innovation is the [[Dutch disease]] phenomenon, which creates an oil and gas investment lock-in, while relying heavily on imported products and services in other sectors. Such a locked-in system hinders local business growth and global competitiveness in other sectors, and thus impedes economic diversification.<ref name=unedp/> The inefficiencies and bottlenecks in business operations that are a result of heavy dependence on natural resources and 'addiction' to imports in Oman suggest a 'factor-driven economy'.<ref name=RSIO/> A third hindrance to innovation in Oman is an economic structure that is heavily dependent on few large firms, while granting few opportunities for SMEs to enter the market, which impedes healthy market-share competition between firms.<ref name=unedp>Science, Technology and Innovation 2014 Review. [https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/dtlstict2014d1_en.pdf United Nations Science, Technology and Innovation 2014 Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805233550/https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/dtlstict2014d1_en.pdf |date=5 August 2020 }} United Nations. 2014.</ref> The ratio of patent applications per million people was 0.35 in 2016 and the [[MENA]] region average was 1.50, while the 'high-income' countries' average was approximately 48.0 during the same year.<ref name=WorldBankPatents>PCT patents. [https://tcdata360.worldbank.org/indicators/entrp.pct?country=OMN&indicator=3441&viz=bar_chart&years=2016 PCT patents, applications/million population] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008220147/https://tcdata360.worldbank.org/indicators/entrp.pct%3Fcountry%3DOMN%26indicator%3D3441%26viz%3Dbar_chart%26years%3D2016 |date=8 October 2019 }} The World Bank. 2016.</ref> Oman was ranked 74th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite book |author=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.wipo.int |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}</ref>

=== Agriculture and fishing ===
Oman's fishing industry contributed 0.78 percent to the GDP in 2016. Fish exports between 2000 and 2016 grew from US$144 million to US$172 million, an increase of 19.4 percent. The main importer of Omani fish in 2016 was [[Vietnam]], which imported almost US$80 million (46.5 percent) in value, and the second biggest importer was the [[United Arab Emirates]], which imported around US$26 million (15 percent). The other main importers are Saudi Arabia, [[Brazil]] and [[China]]. Oman's consumption of fish is almost two times the world's average. The ratio of exported fish to total fish captured in tons fluctuated between 49 and 61 percent between 2006 and 2016. Omani strengths in the fishing industry comes from having a good market system, a long coastline (3,165&nbsp;km) and wide water area. However, Oman lacks sufficient infrastructure, research and development, quality and safety monitoring, together with a limited contribution by the fishing industry to GDP.<ref name=OFIAA/>

[[Date (fruit)|Dates]] represent 80 percent of all fruit crop production. Further, date farms employ 50 percent of the total agricultural area in the country. Oman's estimated production of dates in 2016 is 350,000 tons, making it the 9th largest producer of dates. Oman's total export of dates was US$12.6 million in 2016, almost equivalent to Oman's total imported value of dates, which was US$11.3 million in 2016. The main importer is India (around 60 percent of all imports). Oman's date exports remained steady between 2006 and 2016. Oman is considered to have good infrastructure for date production and support provision to cultivation and marketing, but lacks innovation in farming and cultivation, industrial coordination in the supply chain and encounter high losses of unused dates.<ref name=OFIAA/>

=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in Oman}}
[[File:Bustan-palace.jpg|thumb|left|Al-Bustan Palace Hotel]]
[[File:Wahiba Sands (33).jpg|thumb|upright|Wahiba Sands]]
Tourism in Oman has grown considerably recently, and it is expected to be one of the largest industries in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketresearch.com/Business-Monitor-International-v304/Oman-Tourism-Q2-6205512/ |title=Travel & Leisure Market Research Reports and Industry Analysis |publisher=Marketresearch.com |access-date=9 June 2013 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928211424/http://www.marketresearch.com/Business-Monitor-International-v304/Oman-Tourism-Q2-6205512/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The World Travel & Tourism Council stated that Oman is the fastest growing tourism destination in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oman Eyes Lucrative Business Tourism Market|url=http://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/en/oman-eyes-lucrative-business-tourism-market/|website=Forbesmiddleeast|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-date=26 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626074014/http://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/en/oman-eyes-lucrative-business-tourism-market/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Tourism contributed 2.8 percent to the Omani GDP in 2016. It grew from RO 505 million (US$1.3 billion) in 2009 to RO 719 million (US$1.8 billion) in 2017 (+42.3 percent growth). Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Omanis who are residing outside of Oman, represent the highest ratio of all tourists visiting Oman, estimated to be 48 percent. The second highest number of visitors come from other Asian countries, who account for 17 percent of the total number of visitors.<ref name=OFIAA>National Green Export Review of Oman: Tourism, Dates and Fish. [https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ditcted2018d13_en.pdf National Green Export Review of Oman: Tourism, Dates and Fish (United Nations-CTAD 2018 report)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703204348/https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ditcted2018d13_en.pdf |date=3 July 2019 }} United Nations. 2018.</ref> A challenge to tourism development in Oman is the reliance on the government-owned firm, Omran, as a key actor to develop the tourism sector, which potentially creates a market [[barrier to entry|barrier-to-entry]] of private-sector actors and a [[Crowding out (economics)|crowding out]] effect. Another key issue to the tourism sector is deepening the understanding of the ecosystem and biodiversity in Oman to guarantee their protection and preservation.<ref name=unedp/>

[[Ecotourism]] is a growing segment of Omani tourism.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Balida |first=Don Anton |date=2023-05-26 |title=Perceptions and Attitudes of Domestic Tourists toward Ecotourism |url=https://papers.academic-conferences.org/index.php/ictr/article/view/1173 |journal=International Conference on Tourism Research |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=24–33 |doi=10.34190/ictr.6.1.1173 |issn=2516-3612|doi-access=free }}</ref>  One site in particular –&nbsp;[[Ras al-Jinz]], also known as "Turtle Beach" – is a popular destination due to the annual nesting of the critically endangered [[Hawksbill sea turtle|Hawksbill Turtle]], the endangered [[Green sea turtle|Green Turtle]], the [[Olive ridley sea turtle|Olive Ridley Turtle]], and the [[Loggerhead sea turtle|Loggerhead Turtle]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ras Al Jinz Map, Al Hadd, Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate, Oman {{!}} Sandee |url=https://sandee.com/map/ras-al-jinz/@22.425633,59.837305 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=sandee.com}}</ref>

Oman has one of the most diverse environments in the Middle East with various tourist attractions and is particularly well known for adventure and [[cultural tourism]].<ref name="englishplacenames">{{cite journal|author=Kharusi, N. S. |author2= Salman, A. |title= The English Transliteration of Place Names in Oman|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230721784|journal= Journal of Academic and Applied Studies |volume= 1|issue=3|date=September 2011|pages=1–27 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Thomas, Babu |url=http://www.omanet.om/english/tourism/culture.asp?cat=tour |title=Culture in Oman, Tourism |publisher=Omanet.om |access-date=9 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625131221/http://www.omanet.om/english/tourism/culture.asp?cat=tour |archive-date=25 June 2013 }}</ref> [[Muscat]], the capital of Oman, was named the second best city to visit in the world in 2012 by the travel guide publisher [[Lonely Planet]].<ref>{{cite web |author=I'Anson, Richard |date=7 June 2012 |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/london/travel-tips-and-articles/76861 |title=Lonely Planet's Best in Travel: top 10 cities for 2012 – travel tips and articles |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=9 June 2013 |archive-date=2 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102010653/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/london/travel-tips-and-articles/76861 |url-status=live }}</ref> Muscat also was chosen as the Capital of Arab Tourism of 2012.<ref>[http://www.gulfinthemedia.com/index.php?m=opinions&id=577331&lang=en Postings of opinions published in the Gulf and international newspapers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230014015/http://www.gulfinthemedia.com/index.php?m=opinions&id=577331&lang=en |date=30 December 2014 }}</ref>

In November 2019, Oman made the rule of [[Travel visa|visa]] on arrival an exception and introduced the concept of e-visa for tourists from all nationalities. Under the new laws, visitors were required to apply for the visa in advance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iheartuae.com/2019/11/11/visitors-to-oman-now-need-to-apply-for-a-visa-in-advance/|title=VISITORS TO OMAN NOW NEED TO APPLY FOR A VISA IN ADVANCE|access-date=11 November 2019|website=Heart 107.1|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112092306/https://iheartuae.com/2019/11/11/visitors-to-oman-now-need-to-apply-for-a-visa-in-advance/|url-status=dead}}</ref>