Tourism licence in Oman

Tourism activities that need licensing

• Travel agencies and ticketing
• Inbound tour operators and destination management companies
• Hotels, resorts, guesthouses, hotel apartments and heritage inns
• Desert and nature camps
• Tourist guiding, adventure activities and diving centres
• Tourist transport

Ministry of Heritage and Tourism requirements

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) licenses and classifies tourism establishments. Depending on the activity, requirements can include:

• Suitable premises and, for accommodation, compliance with classification standards
• Qualified managers and guides, with some guiding roles reserved for Omanis
• Insurance and financial guarantees for travel agencies and tour operators
• Inspections before the licence is issued

Setup steps

1. Confirm the activity and its ownership and Omanisation rules.
2. Register the company with tourism activities.
3. Secure premises or land; for hotels and camps this includes planning approvals.
4. Apply to MHT and complete inspections.
5. Obtain the municipality and Civil Defence approvals.
6. Recruit staff and apply for visas.

Who needs a tourism licence

Any company selling travel, tours or accommodation in Oman: travel agencies, inbound tour operators, destination management companies, hotels and hotel apartments, guesthouses and heritage inns, desert and mountain camps, diving and adventure centres, and tourist transport providers. Tourism is a growth priority under Oman Vision 2040, with demand from GCC, European and Asian visitors.

Choosing a structure and location

Tourism companies are usually mainland companies (LLC or SPC) because they serve visitors directly. Location drives the opportunity:

• Muscat for travel agencies, DMCs, city hotels and cruise-related services
• Salalah for khareef-season tourism, resorts and tours
• Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar for heritage and mountain tourism
• Sur and the Sharqiyah coast for nature and turtle-watching tours
• Duqm and integrated tourism complexes for larger developments

Step-by-step setup

Documents you will need

• Company and shareholder documents (checklist)
• Lease or land documents and, for accommodation, approved plans
• Manager's CV and qualifications; guide licences where relevant
• Insurance or bank guarantee for agencies and tour operators
• Vehicle and driver documents for tourist transport

Costs to budget for

Agencies and tour operators need a modest office, a guarantee or insurance, and marketing. Accommodation projects are driven by land, construction and fit-out to classification standards. Registration and visa costs follow our setup cost guide.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a general trading or services company can sell tours — tourism activities need MHT licensing.
• Building or fitting out before classification standards are agreed.
• Overlooking roles reserved for Omanis, such as some guiding positions.

How we help

We confirm the activity and ownership rules, register the company, prepare the MHT application, coordinate inspections and handle staff visas. See also our guides to a tour company licence, hotel management licence and tourism licence.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner open a travel agency in Oman?

Many tourism activities allow foreign ownership, but some, such as certain guiding and small-scale services, are reserved for Omanis. We check your activity first.

Do hotels need a separate tourism licence?

Yes. Accommodation establishments are licensed and classified by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in addition to company registration and the municipality licence.

Are there incentives for tourism projects?

Large tourism projects, including those on integrated tourism complex land and in zones such as Duqm, may qualify for incentives under investment agreements.

How long does a tourism licence take in Oman?

For a travel agency or tour operator, allow about two to three months including company registration. Hotels and camps take longer because of site, planning and classification approvals.

Can a tour operator use freelance guides?

Guides must hold the appropriate Ministry of Heritage and Tourism licence, and some guiding roles are reserved for Omani nationals.