OMAN ALIGNS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO POSITION THE SULTANATE AS A PREMIER HEALTH TOURISM DESTINATION
In a major step toward transforming Oman’s healthcare landscape, key public regulators and leading private providers convened for the Preparatory Executive Meeting for the 15th edition of the Oman Health Exhibition (OHEC) and the 18th Business Networking Summit. Held on June 28, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza, Qurum, the strategic gathering established a unified roadmap to drive the national healthcare ecosystem forward and capitalize on the booming global health tourism market.
The meeting brought together an elite group of stakeholders, including the Directorate General of Private Health Establishment, the Directorate of Quality Assurance, Visit Oman, and The Healthcare Committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce. They were joined by prominent medical institutions such as Aster Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Athar Foundation, Oman International Hospital, Azal Oman, and Al Azhar Hospital.
Capturing a $180 Billion Global Market
With the global health tourism market projected to reach $180 billion—growing at an annual rate of 12% to 15%, the meeting emphasized that the benefits extend far beyond healthcare, directly boosting transport, hospitality, and retail.
Dr. Arezoo Farhani, CEO of Academeet and the Health Tourism Development Center of Islamic Countries, presented global case studies from industry leaders like Turkey, India, and the UAE. Dr. Farhani highlighted that Oman possesses world-class infrastructure, top-tier hospitals, a strategic location, strong air connectivity, a unique wellness brand, and political stability—all heavily driven by the Oman Vision 2040 mandate.
"To truly transform Oman into a premier medical tourism hub, we must establish a national mechanism where all sectors work under a single, unified strategy," noted Dr. Farhani.
To bridge existing gaps, attendees agreed on the necessity of refining medical visas, building a network of facilitators, enhancing hospital readiness, and developing robust international branding and digital presences.
Maximizing Synergy: Oman Health Expo & Global Business Networking Summit
The upcoming Oman Health Exhibition and the 18th Business Networking Summit, scheduled for September 21–23, 2026, at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, will serve as the ultimate platform to bring this vision to life.
Tarek Chehab Ali, Senior Event Director of the Oman Health Exhibition, outlined how integrating the 18th Global Business Networking Summit directly into the expo will maximize value for both exhibitors and visitors. This synergy allows local and international hospitals to showcase their medical specialties while engaging in direct B2B networking with medical tourism companies, legislators, insurance firms, and travel agencies.
Furthermore, the highly successful Treat in Oman initiative, first launched at the expo in 2023, continues to expand its footprint, recording an impressive 30% year-over-year growth in visitor interest.
The meeting brought together an elite group of stakeholders, including the Directorate General of Private Health Establishment, the Directorate of Quality Assurance, Visit Oman, and The Healthcare Committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce. They were joined by prominent medical institutions such as Aster Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Athar Foundation, Oman International Hospital, Azal Oman, and Al Azhar Hospital.
Capturing a $180 Billion Global Market
With the global health tourism market projected to reach $180 billion—growing at an annual rate of 12% to 15%, the meeting emphasized that the benefits extend far beyond healthcare, directly boosting transport, hospitality, and retail.
Dr. Arezoo Farhani, CEO of Academeet and the Health Tourism Development Center of Islamic Countries, presented global case studies from industry leaders like Turkey, India, and the UAE. Dr. Farhani highlighted that Oman possesses world-class infrastructure, top-tier hospitals, a strategic location, strong air connectivity, a unique wellness brand, and political stability—all heavily driven by the Oman Vision 2040 mandate.
"To truly transform Oman into a premier medical tourism hub, we must establish a national mechanism where all sectors work under a single, unified strategy," noted Dr. Farhani.
To bridge existing gaps, attendees agreed on the necessity of refining medical visas, building a network of facilitators, enhancing hospital readiness, and developing robust international branding and digital presences.
Maximizing Synergy: Oman Health Expo & Global Business Networking Summit
The upcoming Oman Health Exhibition and the 18th Business Networking Summit, scheduled for September 21–23, 2026, at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, will serve as the ultimate platform to bring this vision to life.
Tarek Chehab Ali, Senior Event Director of the Oman Health Exhibition, outlined how integrating the 18th Global Business Networking Summit directly into the expo will maximize value for both exhibitors and visitors. This synergy allows local and international hospitals to showcase their medical specialties while engaging in direct B2B networking with medical tourism companies, legislators, insurance firms, and travel agencies.
Furthermore, the highly successful Treat in Oman initiative, first launched at the expo in 2023, continues to expand its footprint, recording an impressive 30% year-over-year growth in visitor interest.
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