OMAN
Natural wonder
Wild mountains and timeless mosques, creamy sand dunes, battle-scarred forts and pristine beaches, Oman is authentic Arabia at its best, says Emily Bamber
OMAN T
he Sultanate of Oman occupies a large eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula and is fl anked by the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. This is the land of the Empty Quarter, made famous by Lawrence of Arabia, and desert and rocky mountains dominate the interior. Safe, moderate, welcoming and beautiful
it’s small wonder Oman’s fl edging tourism industry is developing at a fast pace. But there are no high-rise buildings or showy malls here. Instead, think luxury, eco and adventure holidays. “Oman is one of the friendliest countries in the Middle East,” said Destination Oman General Manager David Oak. “It has beaches, fi ve-star hotels, mountains, great year-round weather and the feeling of going back in time, especially when travelling outside of Muscat.” Clean, green and modern yet with
Clockwise from top left: The Al Hajar Mountains; Oman is home to hundreds of fascinating forts; the turtle is a well protected attraction
countless examples of traditional culture and architecture, Muscat has a quiet, hassle-free souk. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque dominates the skyline; there are excellent museums and a Royal Opera House, which opened in 2011. On the caramel-coloured beaches, hotels
offer luxury and style, many combining Arabian architecture with fabulous service. Boutique property The Chedi and Shangri- La’s three-hotel resort, Barr Al Jissah, kick-started the current upmarket drive. Landmark property Al Bustan Palace is now a Ritz Carlton, and Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton and Six Senses also have hotels in Oman. This year, 2,000 rooms will be added, and more are planned in new resorts, including The Wave, a residential leisure complex near Muscat, and Jebel Sifah, a 45-minute drive from the capital. Oman’s obvious appeal is as a winter-sun
fl y and fl op: it’s just seven hours from the UK, the time difference is negligible, the skies are bright blue and the heat is bone dry. These conditions are also favourable
for golf – there are now three world-class courses and 19 cruise ships call in Muscat, Salalah or Musandam.
Arabian culture is also a massive draw.
“We are seeing mostly cultural tours with a beach extension at the end. Also desert is proving extremely popular,” said Phil Ellis, Bales Worldwide Product Manager. Castles and forts are reminders of
the country’s turbulent past; the Hajar Mountains behind Muscat offer a playground for adventure-lovers; turtle- watching at Ras Al Jinz is very popular; and in the desert visitors can dune bash, ride
“The best time to travel to Oman is October to April when the weather is slightly cooler. However in May and September you get fantastic
low hotel rates” DAVID OAK, GENERAL MANAGER DESTINATION OMAN
www.sellinglonghaul.com
July/August 2013
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