More Omanis join hotel workforce as expat numbers decline

MUSCAT: More Omanis are finding employment in the Sultanate’s hotel sector despite an overall decline in workforce numbers and a drop in tourist arrivals, according to the latest tourism indicators released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The number of Omani employees in three- to five-star hotels increased by 1.3 per cent, rising from 3,654 at the end of May 2025 to 3,700 by the end of May 2026, reflecting continued progress in Omanisation within the hospitality industry.

At the same time, the total workforce in the sector fell by 3.7 per cent to 10,636 employees, down from 11,045 a year earlier.

The decline was driven by a sharp reduction in expatriate employment, with the number of non-Omani employees dropping 6.2 per cent from 7,391 to 6,936 over the same period. The rise in Omani employment came despite a drop in the tourist arrivals.

Hotel guests decline

The number of guests staying in classified three- to five-star hotels declined by 13.2 per cent to around 856,929 by the end of May 2026, compared with 987,650 during the corresponding period in 2025. Hotel occupancy stood at 47.9 per cent, according to NCSI.

The figures indicate that while the hotel industry is operating with less employees, Omani nationals are making up a larger share of the workforce as Omanisation efforts continue. The slowdown in tourism has also been reflected in the aviation sector.

Passenger traffic through Oman’s airports fell 9.3 per cent during the first five months of 2026, with the total number of passengers dropping to 5.25 million from 5.79 million during the same period last year.

International flights (arrivals and departures) through Muscat, Salalah and Sohar airports also declined 10.7 per cent to 31,867 flights, compared with 35,679 in the corresponding period of 2025.

Muscat International Airport recorded an 8.2 per cent decline in total flights to 34,242, while passenger numbers fell 8.5 per cent to 4,764,340, down from 5,207,005 a year earlier.

Meanwhile, at Salalah Airport, the total number of flights (international and domestic) reached 3,234 by the end of May 2026, a decrease of 13 percent compared to 3,717 flights during the corresponding period of last year. The number of passengers also declined by 15.9 percent to reach 468,797, compared to 557,298 passengers.