Tourist loyalty plays a crucial role in the success of any destination, as it directly impacts repeat visitation and positive word-of-mouth promotion. This study aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing tourists' loyalty toward nature-based attractions in Oman, a rapidly growing tourism destination in the Arabian Peninsula. The first objective of this study is to investigate the psychological factors influencing tourists’ loyalty to Oman. The study also acknowledges the role of safety and security in shaping tourists' loyalty. Oman's reputation as a safe and stable destination contributes to visitors' confidence and willingness to revisit. Therefore, the second objective is to determine if risk factors have an impact on tourism loyalty. The study examines these objectives for local and international tourists for the purpose of comparison and gaining knowledge about the two different groups which will guide relevant decision makers. Data collection methods included online surveys for international tourists and phone calls for local tourists, based on a random list obtained from a domestic travel and tourism agency. The sample size was 165 respondents from international tourists and 205 respondents from local tourists. The study implemented the technique of partial least squares structural equation modeling PLS-SEM to determine the relationship between endogenous (dependent) and exogenous (independent) variables due to its ability to obtain scores for the latent variables (indirectly measured) and deal with complex relationships. By understanding and addressing these factors, tourism stakeholders and policymakers in Oman can formulate effective strategies to enhance tourists' loyalty and further develop the tourism industry. The findings indicate that factors like attachment, novelty seeking, and satisfaction significantly influence both attitudinal and behavioral loyalty among international tourists. However, perceived value shows a complex relationship with attitudinal loyalty, necessitating further exploration of potential moderators or mediators. For local tourists, attitudinal loyalty is influenced by familiarity, novelty seeking, perceived value, and satisfaction, while behavioral loyalty depends on attachment and familiarity. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for destination management organizations, hoteliers, tour operators, and other stakeholders involved in the tourism sector in Oman. It suggests policy implications, including leveraging Oman's reputation as a safe destination, introducing novel experiences in familiar settings, and emphasizing value-driven promotions. The study underscores the complexity of tourist loyalty and the importance of understanding these dynamics for effective tourism marketing and policy-making in Oman. It also suggests avenues for future research, including exploring sustainable tourism and environmental consciousness in loyalty formation.