The Sultanate of Oman experienced a notable decline in hotel performance during the first half of 2026, with the number of guests at three- to five-star establishments falling by 13% compared to the same period last year. Data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed that guest numbers reached 992,009 by the end of June, down from 1,140,086 in the first six months of 2025.

This decrease in visitors corresponded with a 12.3% drop in total hotel revenues, which fell to RO 124.177 million from RO 141.520 million during the previous year’s comparable period. Occupancy rates also decreased significantly, sliding from 54.6% in the first half of 2025 to 46.3% in 2026, representing a 15.3% relative reduction.

Despite the overall downturn, the number of Omani nationals staying at these hotels increased slightly, rising to 395,659 guests from 383,783 a year earlier. Among non-Omani visitors, Europeans remained the largest group, accounting for 246,603 guests. They were followed by Asians, who numbered 162,978, and visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which totaled 69,289 guests.

The figures suggest a shift in the composition of hotel guests, with domestic demand showing signs of resilience while international arrivals experienced a more pronounced decline. The factors contributing to these changes have not been detailed in the data release but may include regional travel patterns, global economic conditions, or other external influences affecting tourism and hospitality in Oman during this period.