According to Times of Oman, in its report published on July 21, 2026, the Oman hotel workforce recorded higher local employment by the end of May 2026. Data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed more Omanis joined three- to five-star hotels, even as expatriate employment, tourist arrivals and overall sector staffing declined.
Oman Hotel Workforce shows steady local employment growth
The latest NCSI data highlights continued growth in local participation across the hospitality sector. The number of Omani employees working in three- to five-star hotels increased by 1.3%, rising from 3,654 at the end of May 2025 to 3,700 by the end of May 2026. As a result, local workers represented a larger share of hotel employment despite the industry’s overall slowdown.
At the same time, the total workforce in classified hotels fell by 3.7% to 10,636 employees, compared with 11,045 during the same period last year. The reduction came mainly from a decline in expatriate employment, which dropped 6.2% from 7,391 workers to 6,936. These figures indicate that the Oman hotel workforce continued to shift towards local talent while Omanisation in the hospitality industry progressed.
Omanisation in the Hospitality industry continues
The rise in Omani employment occurred despite weaker tourism performance. Three- to five-star hotels welcomed approximately 856,929 guests by the end of May 2026, down from 987,650 visitors during the corresponding period in 2025. Hotel occupancy reached 47.9%, according to NCSI.
Even with fewer visitors, hotels continued to employ more Omani nationals. The latest Oman hotel workforce figures suggest hospitality businesses maintained their focus on expanding local employment opportunities while adjusting staffing levels to match market demand. The data also reflects continued Omanisation in the hospitality industry, with Omani employees accounting for a greater proportion of the workforce.
Oman Hotel Workforce reflects tourism and aviation slowdown
The tourism slowdown also appeared in Oman’s aviation sector. Passenger traffic through the Sultanate’s airports declined by 9.3% during the first five months of 2026, falling from 5.79 million passengers to 5.25 million.
International arrivals and departures through Muscat, Salalah and Sohar airports also decreased by 10.7% to 31,867 flights. Muscat International Airport handled 34,242 flights, an 8.2% decline, while passenger numbers dropped 8.5% to 4,764,340. At Salalah Airport, flights fell 13% to 3,234 and passenger numbers declined 15.9% to 468,797.
Latest data highlights workforce shift
Overall, the latest tourism indicators show that the Oman hotel workforce continued to strengthen local participation despite lower tourism activity and reduced overall employment. While hotel staffing and visitor numbers declined, the increase in Omani employees reflects the continued implementation of Omanisation in the hospitality industry across the country’s hospitality sector.
