Muscat – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) has issued executive regulations for the Tourism Law, setting out a revised framework to regulate activities, strengthen oversight and raise service standards across the sector.

The regulations, aligned with Oman Vision 2040, aim to enhance competitiveness, support sustainability and increase tourism’s contribution to economic diversification and employment.

Under the update, existing licence holders must regularise their status within six months of the regulations coming into force. The new rules replace provisions issued in 2021 and cancel any conflicting measures.

MHT will maintain dedicated registers for each tourism activity, including licences, documentation and violations. No tourism activity, including operations or management of hotels and tourist establishments, may be undertaken without prior approval and licensing.

The regulations define licence categories covering hotel and tourism facility operators, travel agencies, branches of foreign tourism companies, tour guides, adventure tourism operators, entertainment groups and business tourism organisers.

Licence applications must be processed within 60 days. Failure to respond within this period will be considered an approval. The framework also sets out fees, validity periods and penalties for delayed renewals.

Hotel and tourism establishments are required to obtain prior approval before development, comply with land-use and classification standards, and display official ratings prominently. Operators must maintain electronic links with relevant authorities and submit periodic statistical data.

A tourism fee of 4% and a service charge of 8% will be levied under defined collection and audit mechanisms.

Travel agencies are authorised to organise trips, issue tickets and provide related services but are prohibited from using unlicensed guides. They must also provide insurance cover for tourists against potential risks.

Tourist guides will be classified as general, site-specific or specialised. English-language guiding will be restricted to Omani nationals. The regulations also outline professional obligations and prohibited practices.

Adventure tourism operators must meet safety requirements, including risk management plans, insurance coverage and compliance with official weather advisories.

Entertainment activities in tourism establishments will be limited to licensed venues and prohibited during certain religious occasions. Organisers must observe public decency and local traditions.

In the business tourism segment, licence holders must submit programme details and performance data. A dedicated database will track visitor numbers and economic returns.

The framework also outlines procedures for allocating tourism land, granting usufruct rights and approving development projects.

Inspection and enforcement provisions grant authorities powers to monitor compliance, suspend or revoke licences and downgrade establishments that fail to meet standards. Administrative penalties for violations are specified.

Officials said the regulations are intended to enhance the legislative framework, improve service quality and create a more transparent environment for tourism investment in Oman.