77,000 French Tourists in Oman: What It Means for Property Buyers

More than 77,000 French nationals visited Oman in 2025 — a figure that matters to property buyers because European tourists are among the most likely to convert from short-stay visitors into second-home owners and short-term rental guests.

That single statistic is not just a headline for the tourism ministry. It is a demand signal for anyone holding — or considering — a unit inside one of Oman's Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs).

Why Tourism Numbers Drive Property Returns

Oman's ITC framework is the legal mechanism that allows non-Omani nationals to own freehold property in designated developments. Ownership comes with a residency permit for the buyer and immediate family, and the same units can be placed into a managed rental pool when not in use.

The maths is straightforward: more tourists arriving from high-spending Western markets means more nights booked, higher average daily rates, and stronger occupancy across ITC resorts. French travellers, in particular, tend to favour longer stays and cultural itineraries — exactly the profile that fills villas and apartments in coastal and heritage-adjacent developments rather than just hotel rooms.

Oman's broader tourism strategy under Vision 2040 and the Sorouh initiative targets a significant increase in international arrivals across all source markets. France joining the list of high-volume contributors adds a European pillar alongside the already-established GCC and Indian visitor base.

The Tax Backdrop

For overseas buyers, Oman's fiscal environment remains one of the most favourable in the region:

• 0% personal income tax
• 0% property ownership tax
• 12% withholding tax on rental income (applicable to managed rental arrangements)

No capital gains tax on resale. No annual wealth tax. For a French buyer comparing Oman with a Paris pied-à-terre or a Côte d'Azur apartment, the numbers look very different.

Where French Tourists — and Buyers — Are Looking

Salalah: The Khareef Advantage

Hawana Salalah is Oman's most established ITC resort outside Muscat and the natural entry point for European buyers seeking a beach-and-nature combination. Developer Muriya operates the complex, which includes a marina, an 18-hole golf course, and a hotel strip that generates year-round rental demand — peaking sharply during the June–September Khareef (monsoon) season, when domestic and regional visitors flood Dhofar.

Two active projects here are worth noting:

• Riviera at Hawana Salalah — seafront apartments with direct beach access, positioned at the mid-market price point that appeals to buyers seeking rental yield over capital appreciation alone.
• Amazi at Hawana Salalah — a newer phase targeting buyers who want larger floor plates and resort-style amenities within the same ITC perimeter.

Both projects are off-plan, meaning escrow-account protection applies under Omani law: your stage payments are held in a regulated account and released to the developer only against verified construction milestones.

Muscat: The Capital's Coastal Corridor

Muscat Bay and AIDA, Muscat sit along the capital's dramatic mountain-meets-sea coastline and attract a different buyer profile — those who want urban connectivity alongside resort amenities.

Marriott Residences AIDA is a branded-residences project inside the AIDA ITC, where owners benefit from Marriott's global distribution network for short-term rentals. That brand association matters when marketing to French guests who may already be Marriott Bonvoy members — discovery friction drops significantly.

Yiti: The Sustainable City Angle

Yiti, Muscat is a 20-minute drive from Muscat's city centre and is home to The Sustainable City — Yiti, a zero-carbon master plan that has attracted attention from environmentally-conscious European buyers. Two phases are currently active:

• Sustainable District at The Sustainable City – Yiti
• The Plaza at The Sustainable City – Yiti

French buyers, who often cite sustainability credentials as a purchasing factor, may find the project's energy and water commitments particularly compelling alongside the ITC ownership rights.

What the Conversion Rate from Tourist to Buyer Looks Like

Not every tourist becomes a buyer, but the pipeline matters. A visitor who spends a week in an ITC resort, rents a villa, uses the marina, and enjoys the climate is far more likely to request a sales brochure than someone who has never set foot in the country. Developers at Hawana Salalah and AIDA both report that a meaningful share of their qualified leads come from prior guests.

The French market is still early-stage compared with GCC buyers, who dominate transaction volumes. That is arguably an opportunity: entry prices in most Omani ITCs have not yet priced in Western European demand at scale. When — and if — that demand matures, early buyers stand to benefit from the rerating.

Practical Steps for a French Buyer

1. 01Confirm ITC status — only units inside a designated ITC confer freehold title to non-Omanis. Ask for the Ministry of Housing & Urban Planning registration number.
2. 02Verify the escrow account — off-plan purchases must have a Central Bank of Oman-regulated escrow. Request the account details before signing.
3. 03Budget for 3% registration fees — payable at the Muscat Municipality or equivalent governorate office on transfer.
4. 04Check rental management terms — some ITC developments require you to use the onsite operator; others allow independent listing. This affects your net yield calculation.
5. 05Residency permit — property ownership in an ITC automatically qualifies you for a renewable Omani residency permit. Confirm the minimum value threshold (currently OMR 500,000 for the long-term investor visa tier, lower thresholds apply for standard residency).

The Bigger Picture

77,000 French arrivals in a single year is a data point, not a guarantee. Tourism flows can shift with airline routes, exchange rates, and geopolitics. But Oman's structural advantages — political stability, low crime, year-round sunshine in Salalah, and a coastline that rivals the Maldives at a fraction of the price — are not going away. The French tourist surge of 2025 is a leading indicator worth watching closely if you are timing a purchase decision.

Source: Times of Oman