Saturday 24 / January / 2026
Madrid: The Sultanate of Oman won the Emerging Tourist Destination Award for 2026, presented by the Spanish tourism magazine Viajar, during a ceremony attended by representatives of the travel and tourism sector and Spanish media outlets.
The award aims to recognise countries that demonstrate outstanding tourism efforts and offer innovative experiences that capture the interest of the Spanish travel market.
Oman was selected for the diversity of its tourism product and the wide range of travel experiences it offers, combining rich historical heritage, cultural depth, and varied natural landscapes.
The award also reflects the Sultanate’s strong commitment to sustainable tourism that preserves national identity while providing authentic visitor experiences.
The Sultanate of Oman is distinguished by diverse and innovative tourism patterns that cater to different interests and global travel trends, making it an ideal destination for leisure and relaxation, cultural exploration, adventure tourism, and cruise tourism.
Haitham Mohammed Al Ghassani, Director-General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism,, stated that Oman’s selection as an emerging tourist destination for 2026 is the result of the tourism experiences aligned with the preferences of Spanish tourists, the growth of tourism performance indicators, and the implementation of innovative promotional programmes targeting various segments.
He also highlighted intensified promotional campaigns showcasing Oman’s tourism assets and product diversity.
He added that the Ministry seeks to benefit from global experiences and strengthen international cooperation to keep pace with developments in tourism markets, while targeting non-traditional markets such as Spain.
This is being achieved through collaboration with airline partners, travel agencies, and relevant stakeholders, alongside providing facilities that support an attractive tourism environment and leveraging Oman’s unique seasonal diversity across its governorates. The Ministry is also promoting tailored tourism packages and exclusive offers provided by Omani tourism companies.
In parallel, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism organised a meeting with leading Spanish tourism companies to enhance cooperation opportunities and establish strategic partnerships aimed at promoting the Omani tourism product and expanding its reach in target markets.
The meeting reviewed a range of tourism experiences, high-quality programmes, and diverse products offered by Oman’s tourism sector, with a focus on heritage, cultural, and natural attractions across the governorates. This diversity reinforces Oman’s competitiveness as an integrated tourist destination at both regional and international levels.
The Ministry emphasised the importance of partnerships with tourism institutions in supporting promotional efforts and opening new avenues of cooperation with global markets—particularly European markets—to attract more visitors and sustainably increase tourism flows.
These efforts underscore the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to developing its tourism sector in line with the highest standards of quality and sustainability, and to strengthening its position as a leading destination offering authentic experiences that blend ancient heritage with rich natural diversity.
