Authors :
Al Bahri Khalaf Sulaiman Khalaf; Aza Azlina Md Kassim
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 10 - October
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/5cdfft7c
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/56yskmkw
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct433
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Abstract :
This conceptual paper develops an Omanization-centered mechanism explaining how mission-oriented tourism
investment can produce sustainable workforce development in Oman. Investment design that explicitly commits to
Omanization output sentry, upskilling, progression, and retention-is theorized to be the proximate pathway through which
projects strengthen workforce capability, equity, resilience, and productivity. Governance and measurement are positioned
as a supportive shell rather than additional causal stages: Vision 2040 provides target setting and accountability; the EFQM
model supplies leadership and strategy routines that embed localization within organizational plans and continuous
improvement; and the UN’s SF-MST framework standardizes indicators for transparent, comparable reporting. The paper
synthesizes recent sector trajectories (2018-2023) and consolidates a decision-useful KPI dashboard (Table 1) and an
alignment matrix linking design levers to Omanization outputs and Vision 2040 priorities (Table 2). Theory-driven
propositions (P1-P6) specify testable links for future empirical work, including the roles of training/credentialing, demand
stability, process-technology complementarities, EFQM alignment, and place-based pipelines. Implications are drawn for
policy, managerial practice, and education/training systems, together with a sequenced implementation roadmap and
monitoring and evaluation arrangements.
Keywords :
Omanization; Sustainable Tourism Workforce; Investment Strategies; Oman Vision 2040; EFQM.
References :
- Al-Harrasi, A., & Al-Maawali, A. (2023). Tourism workforce localisation and the challenges of Omanization in Vision 2040. Journal of Tourism Policy and Research, 15(2), 145–162.
- Al-Mukhaini, H. (2022). Human capital development in Oman’s tourism sector: Prospects and challenges. Middle East Journal of Tourism Studies, 11(3), 201–219.
- Baum, T., & Robinson, R. (2024). Strengthening the tourism workforce. In OECD (Ed.), OECD tourism trends and policies 2024 (pp. 79–108). OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/17ff33a3-en
- EFQM. (2025). The EFQM model. https://efqm.org/the-efqm-model/
- International Labour Organization. (2022). The future of work in the tourism sector: Sustainable and safe recovery and decent work. https://www.ilo.org/resource/conference-paper/future-work-tourism-sector-sustainable-and-safe-recovery-and-decent-work
- International Labour Organization. (2022). Tourism employment and skills gaps: Global evidence and implications. ILO.
- Ministry of Heritage & Tourism [MoHT]. (2024a). Total workers in the tourism sector (2018–2023) [Statistical tables]. https://mht.gov.om/Pages/Media/DownloadCenter/Statistics.aspx
- Ministry of Heritage & Tourism [MoHT]. (2024b). General indicators of tourism statistics (2005–2023) [Statistical tables]. https://mht.gov.om/Pages/Media/DownloadCenter/Statistics.aspx
- Ministry of Heritage & Tourism [MoHT]. (2024c). General indicators of hotels activity for the years 2009–2022 [PDF]. https://mht.gov.om/Pages/Media/DownloadCenter/Statistics.aspx
- Ministry of Heritage & Tourism [MoHT]. (2024d). Number of employees in hotels sector by governorate for the years 2009–2022 (SOP-07-16) [PDF]. https://mht.gov.om/Pages/Media/DownloadCenter/Statistics.aspx
- Ministry of Heritage & Tourism [MoHT]. (2024e). Arrivals by nationality (2011–March 2024) [PDF]. https://mht.gov.om/Pages/Media/DownloadCenter/Statistics.aspx
- National Centre for Statistics & Information [NCSI]. (2024). Tourism indicators (monthly/annual bulletins). https://www.ncsi.gov.om/
- National Centre for Statistics & Information [NCSI]. (2025). Tourism Satellite Account–based indicators (selected releases). https://www.ncsi.gov.om/
- OECD. (2024). OECD tourism trends and policies 2024. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/80885d8b-en
- Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-Up Unit. (2023). Oman Vision 2040 booklet [PDF]. https://www.oman2040.om/uploads/publication/20231105221146-2023-11-05publication221143_.pdf
- Sultanate of Oman. (2023). Royal Decree No. 53/2023 issuing the Labour Law [Official English translation]. https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/OM_Labor%20Law_EM.pdf
- UNCTAD. (2025). Guiding principles for sustainable investment in tourism. United Nations. https://doi.org/10.18356/9789210029583
- UNWTO. (2023). Measuring the sustainability of tourism (MST): Proposals for an indicator set [PDF]. United Nations World Tourism Organization. https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-09/MST_Indicators_EG_version_Sep2023_13092023_REV1.pdf
- UNWTO, & United Nations Statistics Division. (2024). Statistical framework for measuring the sustainability of tourism (SF-MST) [PDF]. https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/2024-02/SF-MST_version_WEB_FEB2024.pdf
- World Travel & Tourism Council [WTTC]. (2024). Travel & tourism economic impact research 2024 (global). WTTC/Oxford Economics.
21. World Travel & Tourism Council [WTTC]. (2025). Oman: Travel & tourism economic impact research (country data hub). https://researchhub.wttc.org/product/oman-economic-impact-report
This conceptual paper develops an Omanization-centered mechanism explaining how mission-oriented tourism
investment can produce sustainable workforce development in Oman. Investment design that explicitly commits to
Omanization output sentry, upskilling, progression, and retention-is theorized to be the proximate pathway through which
projects strengthen workforce capability, equity, resilience, and productivity. Governance and measurement are positioned
as a supportive shell rather than additional causal stages: Vision 2040 provides target setting and accountability; the EFQM
model supplies leadership and strategy routines that embed localization within organizational plans and continuous
improvement; and the UN’s SF-MST framework standardizes indicators for transparent, comparable reporting. The paper
synthesizes recent sector trajectories (2018-2023) and consolidates a decision-useful KPI dashboard (Table 1) and an
alignment matrix linking design levers to Omanization outputs and Vision 2040 priorities (Table 2). Theory-driven
propositions (P1-P6) specify testable links for future empirical work, including the roles of training/credentialing, demand
stability, process-technology complementarities, EFQM alignment, and place-based pipelines. Implications are drawn for
policy, managerial practice, and education/training systems, together with a sequenced implementation roadmap and
monitoring and evaluation arrangements.
Keywords :
Omanization; Sustainable Tourism Workforce; Investment Strategies; Oman Vision 2040; EFQM.