Omani nationals are making up a larger share of the country’s hotel workforce, according to new figures that show continued progress in workforce nationalisation despite weaker tourism activity.
Data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed the number of Omanis employed in three- to five-star hotels edged up to 3,700 by the end of May 2026, marking a modest increase from the previous year.
The overall number of workers in the hotel sector, however, declined as businesses reduced their reliance on expatriate staff. Non-Omani employment fell to 6,936, contributing to a smaller workforce of 10,636 employees across classified hotels.
The shift comes as the hospitality industry faces softer demand. Guest numbers at three- to five-star hotels dropped to about 856,900, while hotel occupancy stood at 47.9 percent, reflecting lower visitor activity during the first five months of the year.
The slowdown extended to the aviation sector, with passenger traffic through Oman’s airports falling during the same period. International and domestic flight activity also recorded declines at Muscat, Salalah and Sohar airports, indicating weaker travel demand.
Despite the softer tourism market, the latest figures suggest Oman continues to advance its Omanisation strategy by increasing the participation of national workers in the hospitality industry while reducing dependence on expatriate labour.
