Oman’s Tourism Minister has announced the validity of tourist visas will be extended. The extension will apply to those who paid for tourist visas after 21 March 2020 but were unable to use them. It will apply until 31 August this year. Hotels will also temporarily be exempt from paying tourist fees. However, they will have to repay them once they have recovered financially from Coronavirus. It is estimated the Sultanate’s tourism sector will lose 80 million Rials compared to last year. The Tourism Ministry has also designed a plan for hotels so that once a decision to lift the movement ban has been made they are ready to receive tourists. A plan to encourage tourists to come to Oman has also been finalised but it will only be implemented when the Coronavirus situation in the country improves. Full story
