Oman cuts tourist visas by 75% to boost arrivals 

(MENAFN) Oman cut the cost of its tourist visas by up to 75 percent as it plans to spur the number of inbound tourists, Arabian Business reported.

Maitha Al Mahrouqi, the under-secretary for tourism, said that new entry tourist visas, valid for ten days, will cost USD13 while cruise visas for up to 24-hours will be free or charged at USD13 for multiple visits, and the cost of a single entry visa, valid for one month, will remain the same at USD51.8.

She also said the move would encourage travel to Salalah and other regional destinations, and conference organizers to consider Oman as an event location.

The government said recently it is studying 30 locations around the country for potential developed into tourism resorts and attractions.

The World Travel and Tourism Council predicted travel and tourism to contribute up to three percent of Oman's GDP for 2011 and increase to 5.4 percent by 2012.

The organization also expected the tourism sector in the Sultanate to hire up to 50,000 jobs by 2021.