Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman

Ishaq Yahya Khalhfan Alshuaili; Ali Amur Qais AlShibani

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11

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Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman

Ishaq Yahya Khalhfan Alshuaili^*

, Ali Amur Qais AlShibani

Published in International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management (Volume 10, Issue 1)

Received: 18 September 2025 Accepted: 4 October 2025 Published: 16 January 2026

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Abstract

Astronomical Tourism is not a widely recognized activity on the global tourism map; however, it is growing rapidly due to the increasing interest of many individuals in visiting unconventional tourist destinations that focus primarily on sky observation, escaping light pollution, and exploring astronomical heritage sites such as ancient observatories. Astronomical tourism initiatives contribute to spreading knowledge and developing human capital among visitors and within the host community. Therefore, it can serve as a potential tool for development, especially considering that the locations attracting this type of tourism are often remote areas, providing economic support and employment opportunities for the local workforce. Nevertheless, astronomical tourism requires a high level of scientific content and advanced technologies to keep pace with developments in the field and meet the expectations of visitors to these destinations. Despite the currently limited utilization of this type of tourism as a key contributor to the national economy and as a vital source of scientific knowledge for universities and research centers, Oman is one of the promising countries in this sector. This paper examines the current state of astronomical tourism in Oman, its prospects, and the opportunities that can be leveraged to develop this sector. It also explores the potential for establishing world-class astronomical observatories to position Oman on the global astronomical tourism map.

Published in	International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11
Page(s)	1-6
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Astrotourism, Oman, Natural Heritage, Sustainable Tourism, Astronomical Observatories

References

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[2]	Al Shuaili, I. Y. K., Albusaidi, Q., Al Shaikh, I. S. A., & Akindi, A. (2025). AURORA IN OMAN: OBSERVATIONS AND IMAGES. Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 11(1), 101–104. https://doi.org/10.12737/stp-111202512
[3]	Al-Ghafri, A. (2004). Water distribution management of Aflaj irrigation systems of Oman STUDY ON WATER DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT OF AFLAJ IRRIGATION SYSTEMS OF OMAN.
[4]	Araya Pizarro, S., & Verelst, N. (2023). Astrotourism research landscape: a bibliometric analysis Revista Interamericana de Ambiente y Turismo Interamerican Journal of Environment and Tourism. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-235X2022000100075
[5]	Charlier, B., & Bourgeois, N. (2013). Half the park is after dark. Espace Geographique, 42(3), 200–212. https://doi.org/10.3917/eg.423.0200
[6]	Du Preez, E. A., & Fairer-Wessels, F. A. (2018). ASTRO-TOURISM AS A CATALYST FOR RURAL ROUTE DEVELOPMENT by LAETICIA VAN WYK-JACOBS 14312329 Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree phd in Tourism Management in the FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES at the UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA. http://www.library.up.ac.za/plagiarism/index.htm
[7]	Groemer, G. (2020). Special Collection on the AMADEE-18 Mars Analog Simulation. In Astrobiology (Vol. 20, Issue 11, pp. 1273–1275). Mary Ann Liebert Inc. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2020.2373
[8]	Jiwaji, N. T. (2016). Astro-Tourism as a High Potential Alternative Tourist Attraction in Tanzania. Huria: Journal of the Open University of Tanzania. Vol. 23(1). https://doi.org/10.61538/huria.v23i0.31
[9]	Mdhluli, J. E., & Development, I. O. of A. for. (2025). Astrotourism for Development: An Overview of Resources from the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development. http://arxiv.org/abs/2507.15827
[10]	Nash, H., & Agius, D. A. (2011). The use of stars in agriculture in oman. In Journal of Semitic Studies (Vol. 56, Issue 1, pp. 167–182). https://doi.org/10.1093/jss/fgq063
[11]	Öksüz, B., Demir, Ş. Ş., & Özdemir, N. (2025). Astro-tourism: Discovering a whole new world under the stars. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, 11(1), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1631484
[12]	Tapada, A., Marques, C. S., Marques, C. P., & Costa, C. (2021). Astrotourism: A literature review and framework for future research. Enlightening Tourism, 11(2), 291–331. https://doi.org/10.33776/et.v11i2.5189
[13]	Dark Sky International. International Dark Sky Places. Available from: https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/ (2 February 2024).
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APA Style

Alshuaili, I. Y. K., AlShibani, A. A. Q. (2026). Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 10(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11

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ACS Style

Alshuaili, I. Y. K.; AlShibani, A. A. Q. Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman. Int. J. Hosp. Tour. Manag. 2026, 10(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11

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AMA Style

Alshuaili IYK, AlShibani AAQ. Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman. Int J Hosp Tour Manag. 2026;10(1):1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11,
  author = {Ishaq Yahya Khalhfan Alshuaili and Ali Amur Qais AlShibani},
  title = {Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman},
  journal = {International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-6},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhtm.20261001.11},
  abstract = {Astronomical Tourism is not a widely recognized activity on the global tourism map; however, it is growing rapidly due to the increasing interest of many individuals in visiting unconventional tourist destinations that focus primarily on sky observation, escaping light pollution, and exploring astronomical heritage sites such as ancient observatories. Astronomical tourism initiatives contribute to spreading knowledge and developing human capital among visitors and within the host community. Therefore, it can serve as a potential tool for development, especially considering that the locations attracting this type of tourism are often remote areas, providing economic support and employment opportunities for the local workforce. Nevertheless, astronomical tourism requires a high level of scientific content and advanced technologies to keep pace with developments in the field and meet the expectations of visitors to these destinations. Despite the currently limited utilization of this type of tourism as a key contributor to the national economy and as a vital source of scientific knowledge for universities and research centers, Oman is one of the promising countries in this sector. This paper examines the current state of astronomical tourism in Oman, its prospects, and the opportunities that can be leveraged to develop this sector. It also explores the potential for establishing world-class astronomical observatories to position Oman on the global astronomical tourism map.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman
AU  - Ishaq Yahya Khalhfan Alshuaili
AU  - Ali Amur Qais AlShibani
Y1  - 2026/01/16
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11
T2  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
JF  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
JO  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
SP  - 1
EP  - 6
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1800
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11
AB  - Astronomical Tourism is not a widely recognized activity on the global tourism map; however, it is growing rapidly due to the increasing interest of many individuals in visiting unconventional tourist destinations that focus primarily on sky observation, escaping light pollution, and exploring astronomical heritage sites such as ancient observatories. Astronomical tourism initiatives contribute to spreading knowledge and developing human capital among visitors and within the host community. Therefore, it can serve as a potential tool for development, especially considering that the locations attracting this type of tourism are often remote areas, providing economic support and employment opportunities for the local workforce. Nevertheless, astronomical tourism requires a high level of scientific content and advanced technologies to keep pace with developments in the field and meet the expectations of visitors to these destinations. Despite the currently limited utilization of this type of tourism as a key contributor to the national economy and as a vital source of scientific knowledge for universities and research centers, Oman is one of the promising countries in this sector. This paper examines the current state of astronomical tourism in Oman, its prospects, and the opportunities that can be leveraged to develop this sector. It also explores the potential for establishing world-class astronomical observatories to position Oman on the global astronomical tourism map.
VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Ishaq Yahya Khalhfan Alshuaili

Research Department, Oman Society of Astronomy and Space, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4064-9253
Ali Amur Qais AlShibani

Research Department, Oman Society of Astronomy and Space, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-7441-9116

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Alshuaili, I. Y. K., AlShibani, A. A. Q. (2026). Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 10(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11

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ACS Style

Alshuaili, I. Y. K.; AlShibani, A. A. Q. Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman. Int. J. Hosp. Tour. Manag. 2026, 10(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11

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AMA Style

Alshuaili IYK, AlShibani AAQ. Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman. Int J Hosp Tour Manag. 2026;10(1):1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11,
  author = {Ishaq Yahya Khalhfan Alshuaili and Ali Amur Qais AlShibani},
  title = {Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman},
  journal = {International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-6},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhtm.20261001.11},
  abstract = {Astronomical Tourism is not a widely recognized activity on the global tourism map; however, it is growing rapidly due to the increasing interest of many individuals in visiting unconventional tourist destinations that focus primarily on sky observation, escaping light pollution, and exploring astronomical heritage sites such as ancient observatories. Astronomical tourism initiatives contribute to spreading knowledge and developing human capital among visitors and within the host community. Therefore, it can serve as a potential tool for development, especially considering that the locations attracting this type of tourism are often remote areas, providing economic support and employment opportunities for the local workforce. Nevertheless, astronomical tourism requires a high level of scientific content and advanced technologies to keep pace with developments in the field and meet the expectations of visitors to these destinations. Despite the currently limited utilization of this type of tourism as a key contributor to the national economy and as a vital source of scientific knowledge for universities and research centers, Oman is one of the promising countries in this sector. This paper examines the current state of astronomical tourism in Oman, its prospects, and the opportunities that can be leveraged to develop this sector. It also explores the potential for establishing world-class astronomical observatories to position Oman on the global astronomical tourism map.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Astronomical Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman
AU  - Ishaq Yahya Khalhfan Alshuaili
AU  - Ali Amur Qais AlShibani
Y1  - 2026/01/16
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11
T2  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
JF  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
JO  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
SP  - 1
EP  - 6
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1800
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20261001.11
AB  - Astronomical Tourism is not a widely recognized activity on the global tourism map; however, it is growing rapidly due to the increasing interest of many individuals in visiting unconventional tourist destinations that focus primarily on sky observation, escaping light pollution, and exploring astronomical heritage sites such as ancient observatories. Astronomical tourism initiatives contribute to spreading knowledge and developing human capital among visitors and within the host community. Therefore, it can serve as a potential tool for development, especially considering that the locations attracting this type of tourism are often remote areas, providing economic support and employment opportunities for the local workforce. Nevertheless, astronomical tourism requires a high level of scientific content and advanced technologies to keep pace with developments in the field and meet the expectations of visitors to these destinations. Despite the currently limited utilization of this type of tourism as a key contributor to the national economy and as a vital source of scientific knowledge for universities and research centers, Oman is one of the promising countries in this sector. This paper examines the current state of astronomical tourism in Oman, its prospects, and the opportunities that can be leveraged to develop this sector. It also explores the potential for establishing world-class astronomical observatories to position Oman on the global astronomical tourism map.
VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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