Launching the Second Phase of the Virtual Tour Feature on Google Maps

Date Published: 14 January 2026

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in cooperation with the National Survey and Geospatial Information Authority and Google, has launched the second phase of the “Virtual Tour” feature project. The initiative enables users inside and outside the Sultanate to explore Oman’s natural landscapes, historical landmarks, and modern infrastructure through 360-degree panoramic images available via the Virtual Tour feature on Google Maps.

The second phase was officially launched virtually through the application, marking a step that contributes to strengthening Oman’s digital presence and facilitating access to its locations. The project is expected to have a positive impact on several sectors, foremost among them tourism, as well as service and business development.

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The new coverage includes various governorates across the Sultanate of Oman, from Musandam to Dhofar, featuring routes and landmarks that were not included in the first phase. This comes as part of efforts to expand the scope of imaging during 2025, with a targeted coverage distance of 27,000 kilometers in this phase. The images were captured using specialized “Trekker” devices developed by Google.

The launch of this phase reflects the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to supporting innovation, enhancing digital accessibility, and reinforcing its position as a tourist destination rich in cultural and natural diversity. Users can view the images via the Google Maps application by activating the “Virtual Tour” option within the display settings.

It is worth noting that the first phase included a selected group of sites, including Khor Rori, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a total coverage distance of approximately 36,000 kilometers. Accordingly, the total coverage distance of the first and second phases has reached approximately 63,000 kilometers to date. The project is set to continue with a third phase in 2026, which will focus on updating and reviewing several routes previously covered, with the aim of providing updated imagery that reflects the beauty of Oman and the diversity of its terrain.