Muscat – The sultanate is taking steps to develop its tourism workforce with plans to train Omani youth in four major languages and introduce a new temporary job title aimed at boosting local participation in the sector.

The proposals were discussed during a key meeting of the Tourism Committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chaired by Siham bint Ahmed al Harthi, a member of OCCI’s Board of Directors. The meeting, attended by officials from Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and industry stakeholders, aimed to address sectoral challenges and enhance Oman’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.

A key focus of the discussions was launch of educational programmes to teach Omani youth Chinese, French, German and Italian – languages seen as critical for catering to international tourists. “Equipping young Omanis with language skills will open up new opportunities in tourism and improve the visitor experience,” a committee official  said.

To further localise the tourism workforce, the committee proposed a new role called Masar Guide, which would allow Omanis to work as seasonal guides during peak tourist season. The move aims to create more employment opportunities for locals while enriching the tourism experience in the sultanate.

The committee called for suspension of new visas for foreign tour guides as part of efforts to support the development of local talent. Reducing reliance on foreign workers would promote Omanisation in the tourism sector, aligning with broader national employment goals.

Cultural tourism was another priority on the agenda. The committee proposed organising a cultural day during Ramadan, in collaboration with foreign embassies, to showcase global cultures in a Ramadan-themed setting. Such an event would highlight Oman’s rich cultural diversity and enhance its appeal to international visitors.