Wednesday 10 / June / 2026
Haima: Al Wusta Governorate is regarded as one of the most promising tourism destinations in the Sultanate of Oman, particularly during the summer season in parallel with the Khareef (monsoon) season in Dhofar. This distinction stems from its unique natural and geographical diversity, encompassing pristine beaches, desert landscapes, and nature reserves, in addition to its wealth of tourism and heritage assets that have captured the attention of visitors and investors in the tourism sector.
Over recent years, the governorate has witnessed notable growth in the licensed accommodation establishments sector, which has become a cornerstone in supporting tourism activity and delivering an integrated visitor experience, in line with the sustainable tourism development policies adopted by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed that Al Wusta Governorate is experiencing increasing growth in the number of licensed accommodation establishments, which currently stands at 22 facilities offering a total of 718 rooms. The Department of Heritage and Tourism in the governorate continuously updates and regulates sector data to enhance service quality and support tourism activity.
Furthermore, the number of licensed small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in accommodation activities in Al Wusta Governorate has reached 15, of which 13 hold the "Riyada" card and two are registered as standard SMEs.
Mahmoud Said Al Hakmani, Acting Head of the Tourism Development Section at the Department of Heritage and Tourism in Al Wusta Governorate, stated that accommodation establishments represent a vital component in supporting the tourism sector in the governorate, offering diverse lodging options that cater to visitors seeking relaxation, adventure, or eco-tourism. These establishments, he said, also enhance the visitor experience by providing integrated services tailored to the governorate's unique character and tourism assets.
In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), he added that the Department of Heritage and Tourism in Al Wusta Governorate continuously monitors accommodation establishments through field inspections, ensures compliance with approved standards and requirements, raises investor awareness regarding service quality, streamlines licensing procedures, and encourages SMEs to invest in the tourism sector.
He explained that Al Wusta Governorate is distinguished by several tourism assets that attract visitors, most notably natural beaches, nature reserves, open desert environments, tranquil settings, and a variety of tourism activities such as camping, sea excursions, eco-tourism, and adventure tourism. He noted that several new accommodation projects and facilities are currently under study and regulatory review as part of ongoing efforts to expand tourism services and accommodate the growing influx of visitors to the governorate.
Al Hakmani affirmed that Al Wusta Governorate has seen the emergence of numerous youth-led and community-driven initiatives in recent years aimed at promoting the governorate's natural and tourism assets. These efforts, carried out through social media platforms as well as the organization of tours, environmental, tourism, and volunteer events, have helped highlight and widely introduce desert and coastal tourism sites, while also raising awareness about the importance of environmental and heritage conservation.
