RIYADH: Amid attempts to diversify its economy, Oman’s tourism industry recorded a 47.3 percent year-on-year surge at the end of 2022 to stand at 1.9 billion Omani rials ($4.93 billion). This figure reflects an increase of 600 million rials compared to 1.3 billion rials recorded toward the end of 2021, as reported by the Oman News Agency. This falls in line with the country’s goal of further opening up tourism and encouraging international travelers to visit the country. According to official figures, the tourism sector posted a direct added value of 1.1 billion rials at the end of 2022, up from 804.9 million rials in 2021 while contributing to 2.4 percent to the country’s gross domestic product. Domestic tourism contributed to 68 percent of earnings last year, equivalent of 1.3 billion rials, according to the state news agency. Additionally, Oman recorded 2.9 million international visitors, reporting an increase of 348 percent over 2021 figures of 652,000. The biggest footfall came from Gulf Cooperation Council states with 1.6 million visitors, followed by 651,00 from Asian countries, and 360,000 from European nations. Total general spending by inbound visitors stood at 592.4 million rials. Total general spending by inbound visitors during the period stood at 592.4 million rials. On the other hand, outbound tourism witnessed a 166.2 percent rise to reach 5.2 million visitors during 2022, compared to 1.9 million visitors during the same period a year ago. As many as 3.3 million tourists stayed more than one night at their destinations, representing 64 percent of the total. Data showed that up to 1.9 million outgoing visitors returned the same day, representing 36 percent of the total. Spending by departing visitors in 2022 climbed 243.8 percent to 966.6 million rials, compared to 281.1 million rials in the year prior. The data also showed that the revenues of hotels with a rating of 3 to 5 stars in the country recorded about 110 million rials by the end of June 2023, reflecting an increase of 32 percent compared to the 83 million rials recorded by the corresponding period a year ago.