Kuwaiti tourist arrivals to Oman increased by 17.2 percent between 2024 and 2025, making Kuwait the third-largest source of visitors to the Sultanate after the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to Omani officials.
The figures were announced during a press conference held by the Omani Embassy in Kuwait in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism ahead of the summer khareef season in Dhofar, one of the Gulf’s most popular seasonal destinations.
Oman’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Saleh Al-Kharousi, said visitor numbers to Dhofar have continued to grow steadily in recent years, rising from fewer than one million tourists in 2023 to more than 1.07 million in 2025. He said the region’s cooler climate, green landscapes and expanding tourism infrastructure continue to attract Gulf travelers during the summer months.
The khareef season, which begins on June 21 and lasts until the end of September, transforms large parts of Dhofar into lush scenery uncommon across much of the Gulf during summer. Gulf visitor numbers alone have increased from around 157,000 in 2023 to nearly 185,000 this year.
Officials said investments in roads, hotels and tourism facilities have improved the region’s ability to host larger numbers of visitors. Airlines are also expanding direct flights to Salalah during July, including additional services from Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways, alongside regular operations by Oman Air and SalamAir.
The ambassador said Oman continues to offer simplified travel procedures for visitors, with citizens from more than 100 countries eligible for visa-free entry or visas on arrival. Gulf countries are also discussing a unified tourist visa aimed at easing regional travel.
The event also highlighted Kuwaiti investment in Oman’s tourism sector, with Al-Kharousi describing Kuwait as Oman’s third-largest foreign investor. He said more than $4.5 billion has been invested in tourism and urban development projects, adding that a new Kuwaiti tourism project in Dhofar is expected to be announced soon.
Speakers at the conference pointed to the role of Kuwaiti media and social media creators in promoting tourism in Oman over the years, particularly coverage of Dhofar’s seasonal attractions and cultural experiences.
