Saudi Arabia and Oman are planning on launching a joint tourist visa, as the two countries launch joint initiatives to boost tourism.
The kingdom’s Tourism Minister Ahmad Al Khatib conducted talks in Muscat with Oman’s Salem Al Mahrooqi to promote tourism in both countries.
Saudi Arabia and Oman’s joint projects are aimed at attracting foreign tourists, citizens of both countries, and residents of the GCC countries.
The initiatives, which include a unified tourist visa, seasonal flights, and a joint tourism calendar, aim to promote tourism and boost investment cooperation between the two nations.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the strategy was approved by GCC leaders in December last year and focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in the tourism sector and training tourism professionals.
Saudi Arabia and Oman’s success story
Both Saudi Arabia and Oman are well-known tourist destinations in the region, offering diverse natural and cultural attractions.
The efforts have reportedly shown promising results, with a significant increase in tourist arrivals and spending.
In the first quarter of this year, approximately 164,000 tourists from Oman visited Saudi Arabia, representing a remarkable 136 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Similarly, nearly 49,000 tourists from Saudi Arabia visited Oman during the same period, experiencing a notable 92 percent growth.
The collaboration between the kingdom and Oman is part of the broader cooperation among the six GCC member countries, which also include the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Last year, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman made a historic visit to Saudi Arabia, marking the first visit by an Omani leader to the kingdom in over a decade.
During the visit, the two nations signed a pact to establish a joint council, aiming to coordinate their positions across various fields.
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