22 HOW TO SELL oman Oman by Colin Ellson
OMAN ESSENTIALS VISAS: UK citizens can obtain visas on arrival in Muscat. Cost is 5OM (£8) for a 10-day visa, 20OM (£32) for one month
TIME ZONE: GMT+4
CURRENCY: Oman Riyal (OM). 1OM=£1.56 LANGUAGES: Arabic
SEE: oman@representationplus.
co.uk
BOOK IT: Kuoni offers four nights at the 4/5-star Al Waha at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, near Muscat, in May. Cost is from £860, including Etihad flights from Heathrow and group transfers in the resort. Please quote DX2131 when booking.
Kuoni.co.uk; 01306 747008
TOUR OPERATORS:
coxandkings.co.uk/middle-east/ oman
wandotravel.com/oman sunset.co.uk/sunset-brochure caribtours.co.uk/Arabia/oman
GETTING THERE: Oman Air offers the only direct flights from the UK to Muscat, its A330-300 service departing Heathrow daily at 21.05 to arrive in Oman at 08.20 next morning.
omanair.com batraveltrade.com etihad.com qatarairways.com gulfair.com emirates.com
Oman is located in the sun-drenched south of the Arabian Peninsula. A land of mountains and deserts and a 3,400km coastline, it is just seven hours’ fl ying time from the UK, and untroubled by the unrest plaguing other parts of the Middle East. Britain is one of the most important source markets, with over 121,000 holidaymakers a year enjoying the Sultanate’s varied attractions, fi ne hotels, exceptional shopping and authentic Arabian ambiance.
WHY SELL?
Other Gulf States might have
adopted all the trappings of a 21st century destination, but while it is modern, Oman is authentic Arabia, its people welcoming and friendly and keen to show off their attractive land. Tradition rules and in contrast to its range of activities, the Sultanate offers a tranquil retreat from a hectic world. A plus point for agents is that tour operators offer commission bonuses of 10% to 15% on specifi c promotions.
WHO TO?
Oman caters to all segments and all
age groups, from couples attracted by the Sultanate’s air of romance to families looking to keep the kids fully entertained. Happily, the destination is child-friendly, with many attractions and activities designed for youngsters. For music lovers, performances to suit all tastes can be found at Oman Royal Opera House in Muscat.
SELL WHAT?
The Sultanate covers an area of
312,000 square km, the rugged terrain dizzying down from multi-hued mountain ranges to desert and coastline. Attractions include well-preserved forts and castles; scuba diving, sailing, kayaking and wind surfi ng in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Arabian Gulf; bird watching, golf, turtle spotting and a year-round calendar of events. Other activities include climbing, caving and trekking in the mountains, and a must on any visit is a safari into the desert by four-wheel drive, with the chance to ride a camel. In town, Muscat has shopping malls
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah beach, Muscat
for upmarket goods, or souks where bartering is almost a national sport and visitors are expected to haggle.
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Open air dining at Desert Nights Camp, Al Wasil
HOW TO SELL...
“One of the best ways of seeing Muscat is on a hop- on, hop-off Big Bus Tour.” GREG THURSTON,COX & KINGS
SELL WHEN? Advise clients to book a trip
to Oman, a year-round destination, at a time to suit their preferences. Summer is from May to September and can be very hot, although ideal for scuba divers to spot whale sharks. October to April is cooler and suited to high-activity sports, city breaks, shopping, desert safaris and wildlife spotting.
WHAT'S NEW? Work has begun on the
fi rst golf course at Jebel Sifah. An 18-hole PGA course, it is designed by Peter Harradine, who has produced more than 180 similar facilities around the world.
Jebelsifah.com Panorama Tours is offering a new,
three-day mobile camping tour of Oman’s deserts, mountains and coastline. Departing Muscat, it visits Wahiba Sands, the Eastern Hajar Mountains and the Sea of Oman. Nights are spent under canvas, and the cost is £631 for two people sharing a tent.
panorama.co.om
SHANGRI LA
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