Muscat- Oman is steadily strengthening its position as a global tourism destination, drawing visitors from around the world with its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage and authentic experiences.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the number of French tourists visiting Oman rose by 25 % in 2025 to reach 77,000, reflecting the growing popularity of the sultanate in the French market.

The upward trend has continued this year, with more than 24,600 French visitors arriving in Oman during the first quarter of 2026, marking a 10 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025.

Khulood Salim al Kaabi, Head of the European and American Markets Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, attributed the growth to the ministry’s sustained promotional campaigns in France and the positive image Oman enjoys among French travellers.

She said Oman has built a strong reputation as a safe, stable and welcoming destination, adding that the country’s commitment to peace, openness and international cooperation has further enhanced its appeal among visitors from around the world.

As part of efforts to improve tourism services, the ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, recently completed a five-month training programme aimed at developing the skills of French-speaking tour guides and enhancing service quality.

Al Kaabi said that more than 350 French tourism companies received orientation programmes on Oman’s culture and tourism offerings last year as part of an ongoing initiative to familiarise industry partners with the sultanate’s competitive advantages.

She added that Oman Air currently operates between four and five flights a week between Muscat International Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, further strengthening connectivity with the French market.

On the cultural front, Ibtisam Abdullah al Maamari, Director of the World Heritage Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said Oman has ratified five of the six UNESCO conventions related to cultural heritage. She noted that the sultanate served on UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee during the periods 1989-1995, 2001-2005 and 2019-2023.

She said Oman has five sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List: Bahla Fort, the Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al Khutm and Al Ain, the Land of Frankincense, the Aflaj Irrigation Systems and the Ancient City of Qalhat.

Al Maamari added that Oman’s tentative list for future inscription includes several sites of cultural and natural significance, including Al Rustaq Castle, Al Hazm Fort, the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve, the Wetlands Reserve in Al Wusta Governorate, the archaeological cultural landscape of Wahda, Siya and Salloot, and Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz.

She also highlighted Oman’s contributions to UNESCO’s Maritime Silk Road initiatives, noting that the Royal Yacht Fulk Al Salamah was used in the pioneering UNESCO expedition of 1990-91, which sought to showcase the Silk Road’s historic role as a bridge for dialogue and cultural exchange.

Al Maamari said the Sultan Haitham Award for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage has become an important international initiative that strengthens the partnership between UNESCO and Oman by recognising outstanding efforts to protect and promote intangible cultural heritage worldwide.