Saudi Arabia and Oman consider a combined tourist visa

The ministers of both countries also discussed implementing joint tourism programmes

Ministers from Saudi Arabia and Oman are discussing the prospect of launching a joint tourist visa.

The initiative was discussed by Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism Salim Al Mahrouqi and the Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb during his visit to Oman.

The unified visa could be launched in conjunction with other programmes aimed at attracting international tourists as well as expatriates from the GCC.

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During the meeting, it was agreed that the countries would launch joint tourism initiatives as a first stage, covering the areas of promotion, marketing, tourism activation, tourism regulations, and cooperation in air connectivity.

The ministers also agreed to collaborate on tourism programmes in the fields of camping and adventure tourism and in support of small and medium enterprises in the tourism sector.

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During the first quarter of 2023, approximately 164,000 tourists travelled from Oman to Saudi Arabia with a growth rate of 136% over the same period in 2022. Their spending amounted to SR310 million (US$83) during the same period, a growth of 71%.

Meanwhile, the number of Saudi tourists visiting Oman reached 49,000 during the first quarter of 2023, with a growth rate of 92% YOY, and spending increased by 117%, reaching SR213 (US$57) million.