Muscat – Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) organised a workshop on ‘Medical and Wellness Tourism in Oman’ aiming to develop a roadmap for launching and promoting products and services in this sector locally, regionally and globally. The workshop focused on introducing relevant resources, experiences and opportunities, while encouraging and motivating tourism establishments and healthcare institutions to provide the best services and experiences.

Additionally, it focused on enhancing and directing investment to incorporate medical and wellness tourism facilities alongside recreational and tourism experiences.

The workshop was inaugurated by H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, in the presence of H E Salem bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, and officials from relevant public and private sectors entities at Intercity Hotel Muscat.

The workshop addressed several key themes, including ‘Destination Readiness,’ which explored the current state of hotel facilities and tourist destinations to host medical and wellness tourism. ‘Legislation and Regulations’ focused on establishing clear governance for integrating medical and wellness tourism into related laws and executive regulations by highlighting the experiences of leading countries.

‘Best Practices and Health Services’ examined the readiness of healthcare institutions and hospitals in the sultanate to showcase health and medical services that could be leveraged within the framework of medical and wellness tourism.

Lastly, ‘Investment and Tourism Promotion’ discussed directing investments to incorporate medical and wellness tourism facilities into the tourism and healthcare sectors, while enhancing promotional programmes to market the sultanate as a destination for medical and wellness tourism both regionally and globally.

The workshop included two sessions that focused on the capacity of public hospitals, the readiness of private hospitals to promote medical and wellness tourism, the availability of spa facilities in 4- and 5-star hotels (a total of 73 establishments), and an evaluation of the current state, readiness and quality levels required to attract medical and wellness tourism to Oman. Discussions also covered existing and potential partnerships, as well as defining quality and safety standards and necessary accreditations.

The sessions further addressed legislation and regulations, emphasising that medical and wellness tourism is a strategic component of Oman Vision 2040 objectives endorsed by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. These objectives include increasing investment value, boosting government revenue growth and enhancing the sector’s contribution to GDP. This tourism sector is also part of the comprehensive tourism development plan. However, Ministry of Health’s current regulations do not explicitly encourage public or private healthcare institutions to invest in or promote medical tourism. Efforts are currently underway to update these legal frameworks.

The workshop saw participation of representatives from various relevant entities, including  Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Oman Investment Authority, the Medical City for Military and Security Services, the University Medical City, the Oman Medical Association, private and public hospitals, Oman Tourism College, the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, the Environment Authority, the Financial Services Authority, the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), the Royal Oman Police, and several private tourism companies, hotels and hospitality establishments.