From pioneering tech to big-ticket investment incentives, the Sultanate of Oman is pressing fast forward on its Vision 2040 and serving a delightful combination of adventure, culture, and opportunity.
Oman’s adventure genie
Newly rolled out, Safarjala is the Sultanate’s first all-in-one adventure tourism app. Think of it as your pocket-sized guide, planner, and booking agent rolled into one.
Developed with the support of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the app aims to make Oman’s great outdoors more accessible than ever. Through the app, travellers can discover and book a kaleidoscope of experiences:
- Mountain thrills: from guided treks in the Hajar Mountains to cycling adventures across rugged valleys.
- Desert escapes: camel rides and dune-bashing in Wahiba Sands, or serene nights under a galaxy of stars.
- Underwater activities: diving trips in the Daymaniyat Islands, where whale sharks, turtles, and vibrant coral reefs steal the show.
- Cultural gems: village stays, souq tours, and visits to UNESCO World Heritage forts.
- Wellness and nature: yoga retreats at remote wadis, birdwatching in wetlands, and kayaking along Muscat’s craggy coastline.
The app is built for ease and convenience. Its interactive maps, real-time availability, and direct communication with licensed adventure operators mean no more endless Googling or guesswork. For providers, this offers a slick backend system that streamlines bookings, payments, and customer management.
A Golden opportunity
In tandem, on 31 August 2025, Oman officially unveils its brand-new Golden Residency (Visa) programme, specifically designed to attract global investors and cement Oman’s position as a friendly, forward-thinking investment hub. Here’s the low-down:
- Tier 1 (10-year residency): Invest at least OMR 500,000 (~USD 1.3M) in a company, bonds, or property, or set up a business employing at least 50 Omani nationals. The fee is OMR 551
- Tier 2 (5-year residency): A lighter investment of OMR 250,000 (~USD 650,000) qualifies. Renewal and fee costs OMR 326.
- Retirement option: Eligible if you can demonstrate a stable income of OMR 4,000/month.
Residency perks include full business and property ownership, access to health and education, and no local sponsor needed, with applications handled digitally via the Invest Oman portal. Alongside the visa, Oman has also launched the “Al Majida Companies” scheme to turbocharge high-performing local firms, and introduced an online commercial-registration transfer service to slash red tape and boost transparency. All of this is a key pillar of Oman Vision 2040, the Sultanate’s ambitious long-term plan to diversify the economy beyond oil and invest in sustainable growth.
Adventure and visa aside, there’s no question Oman is revamping its travel and digital infrastructure to attract more tourists and investors, with Oman Air Holidays recently launching a new digital platform to streamline bookings, while Oman Air updated its passenger app to improve its planning and management capabilities. These digital upgrades are also timely, as Oman is actively targeting key growth markets including India and China.
