Over 1,300 Tourist Guide Licenses Issued: What This Means for Oman’s Tourism and Business Growth
The Sultanate of Oman joined the global community in observing World Tourist Guide Day, recognizing the essential role tourist guides play in delivering historical, cultural, and tourist information about landmarks, sites, and attractions. This vital service enriches visitors’ experiences and helps create memorable moments.
Anwar bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Head of the Tourist Guidance Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, revealed that as of the end of 2025, the Ministry had issued licenses to 1,340 Omani tourist guides. English remains the most commonly licensed language, with additional certifications in foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Russian.
Al-Mahrouqi highlighted a notable rise in the participation of Omani women in the tourist guiding profession, with 118 licenses granted to women by the end of last year. He stressed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring inclusive involvement from both genders, acknowledging their partnership in executing plans and strategies aimed at advancing the tourism sector.
Emphasizing the critical importance of the tourist guiding profession within the tourism industry, Al-Mahrouqi encouraged more Omani guides to pursue this career. He also mentioned that the Ministry is working to increase the number of licensed guides proficient in languages other than English to meet the sector’s evolving needs and cater to a diverse range of tourist markets.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The growing number of licensed tourist guides, especially women, and the Ministry’s focus on multilingual capabilities signal expanding opportunities in Oman’s tourism sector. Businesses should leverage this upward trend by developing diverse, culturally rich services catering to a broader international visitor base. Smart investors and entrepreneurs must prioritize language diversity and gender-inclusive tourism initiatives to align with government strategies and capitalize on evolving market needs.
