Iran and Oman are taking steps to strengthen their ties through Iran Oman tourism, particularly in marine and cultural sectors. Meanwhile, both nations discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation during the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization in Riyadh. Consequently, the meeting emphasized shared goals and potential for deeper collaboration in tourism.
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, met with Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, to explore multiple areas of partnership. Furthermore, Salehi Amiri highlighted Iran’s broader strategy to develop a marine-based economy and promote coastal tourism. He explained that maritime tourism not only encourages economic exchanges but also strengthens cultural and social bonds.
Moreover, Salehi Amiri proposed three key areas of collaboration. First, he recommended increasing direct weekly flights between the two countries from 12 to 60. Second, he suggested organizing joint tourism rallies and cultural events. Third, he encouraged reciprocal tourism exhibitions in Tehran and Muscat to showcase the rich potential of both countries. In addition, he emphasized Iran’s advanced health tourism sector, noting more than 1,000 hospitals and hundreds of thousands of medical professionals. Therefore, Iranian medical services can offer high-quality and affordable care for Omani visitors.
In response, the Omani minister welcomed the proposals and described maritime tourism as “highly practical and visionary.” He also noted that Oman has over 40 ports and access to three seas, and he expressed readiness to sign a memorandum to develop cruise tourism and marine passenger exchanges with Iran. Additionally, he highlighted the growing popularity of Iran among Omani travelers. He said Iran is safe, culturally rich, and ideal for medical and historical tourism.
Both ministers further discussed joint UNESCO projects, including preservation of ancient qanat systems. They also agreed to host reciprocal exhibitions to promote health tourism. Importantly, they confirmed plans to establish a working group to implement and follow up on these initiatives.
Experts believe that closer Iran Oman tourism cooperation can serve as a model for regional partnerships. By leveraging maritime, cultural, and health tourism, both nations may attract more visitors, increase investments, and enhance regional stability.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Tehran International Tourism Exhibition in February 2026 will provide opportunities to explore new initiatives and investments. Overall, Iran Oman tourism now plays a central role in regional cooperation. Therefore, the agreements signal growing commitment to sustainable tourism, cultural exchange, and economic development.