Saturday 03 / October / 2026
Oman’s Tourism Law, promulgated by Royal Decree 69/2023, mandates a license for tourism activities and establishments, while its Executive Regulation, issued by Ministerial Decision 1152/2/1/141/2026, sets out license categories, procedures and renewal requirements.
Speaking to Times of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Chairman of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, stated that “no person shall practice any tourism activity, operate and manage tourist and hotel establishments, or establish branches or offices of foreign tourism companies except after obtaining a license from the ministry. Licenses cover operating or managing tourist or hotel establishments; travel and tourism offices and foreign tourism company branches or offices; tourist guidance; adventure tourism; high art performance groups in tourist and hotel establishments; and business tourism.”
“License applications require the prescribed form, documents and fee. License applications not decided within 60 days of complete submission are deemed accepted. Licenses are renewable if the application is filed at least 60 days before expiry. Late renewal is fined 10% of the fee per month, and a license not renewed within 60 days of expiry is cancelled. License amendment, assignment or disposal requires prior written approval from the ministry,” he said. He added that “tourist and hotel establishments need preliminary approval, which alone does not permit operation, and a ministry-approved classification certificate to obtain the license. Tourist guides must be Omanis aged 18 or over, or foreigners aged 25 or over licensed to work for a travel and tourism office. Adventure applicants must be Omani, 18 or over, with a security and safety audit certificate. Applicants for either license must have full capacity, be medically fit and free from communicable diseases, and not have been convicted of a felony or crime against honor or trust, unless rehabilitated.”
“A license may be suspended for unmet obligations or violations of the Regulation and is cancelled if the licensee loses a condition required for granting it or assigns it without ministerial approval. Practicing any tourism activity, operating or managing a tourist or hotel establishment, or establishing a foreign tourism company branch or office without a license carries imprisonment of 10 days to six months, a fine of OMR6,000 to OMR50,000, or either, with the minimum and maximum limits of the punishment doubled on repetition. Assigning or disposing of a license without approval carries a fine of OMR3,000 to OMR6,000,” he concluded.
(Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established on 14th December 2006 and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
