Oman Tourism

Welcome to the February issue of the Oman Tourism, e-newsletter for the Gulf region’s travel trade

This month’s issue continues to provide news, information and offers for travellers planning to visit The Sultanate of Oman.

It is now high season in Oman and with daily temperatures, a comfortable 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, the long sunny days offer great attractions for visitors. The Sultanate continues to grow in popularity, not just for travellers from long-haul markets, but also for GCC residents who want to enjoy all that Oman has to offer. Muscat & Salalah are perfect for a short break and there is plenty to keep everyone busy.

Last month, Muscat celebrated its four-week long festival. The event was a great success and the highlight was the official opening on the 10th February. The Ameer Al Bihar dance musical, staged by a 180-member troupe, traced the rich sea-faring tradition of Oman. The story written by Ali Al Rawahi depicted an Omani sailor's visit to Africa, China, India and Europe, profiling the traditions in these countries. Laser lighting and colourful dances enthralled the audience. This was followed by an amazing fireworks display which lit up the sky for more than 10 minutes.

Oman is a year-round destination, with great activities for all the family. In addition to offering clients a relaxing weekend away from their busy city life, Muscat and Salalah are great bases for amazing soft adventure. Clients can enjoy everything from scuba diving & deep sea fishing to mountain trekking and turtle watching. Many tour operators offer great value packages with plenty of availability at weekends. Remember to offer Oman next time your clients are looking for an exciting short break.

	Via Ferrata – The exciting adventure activity which is sure to make your adrenaline rush Experience the adrenalin rush of the famous Snake Canyon Via Ferrata as your clients traverse the walls of the canyon, zipping along five high-wire crossings along the way. The dramatic drops and views of the canyon make this a physically and mentally challenging activity for the more adventurous visitor to Oman. It is also an amazing opportunity to see teams working together and really bonding, 100m above the canyon floor! – a great activity for corporate incentives. The second Via Ferrata sees clients traversing the sea cliffs at Bander Khayran looking down on to the turtles and rays and other marine life in the turquoise waters below. This Via Ferrata is reached by either boat or by kayak – a great warm-up to the adventure ahead! No previous experience is required for either of the Via Ferratas as the trained guides will introduce clients to all the activities and the necessary safety information. A reasonable level of fitness and determination is definitely required. For further information and to make your reservation contact Sasha on info@holiday-in-oman.com

Experience the ‘cool’ Barasti Cottages at The Oman Dive Center

The Oman Dive Center is the oldest of its kind in The Sultanate of Oman. Founded in 1989, the center continues to offer professional dive experiences to visitors from all over the world. Since 2004 the Oman Dive Center has been managed by Extra-Divers Worldwide, and it has been transformed into the only "eco dive resort' in Oman.

As well as great diving, the centre also offers authentic ‘beach front’ Barasti Cottages. These wooden huts are a great place to relax after an exhilarating day out at sea. The cottages offer many of the facilities your clients can expect from 4* resort accommodation. The cottages, yet simple in design, offer air-conditioning, comfortable beds, white sumptuous linen and well-equipped bathrooms. Located right on the beach, the cottages offer spectacular views of the bay, and are a great base from which to explore Muscat, which is only 10 minutes drive away.

For further information and to make reservations, contact The Oman Dive Center on +968 248 24240 or by e-mail: reservations@omandivecenter.com Website: www.omandivecenter.com

Al Felaij Castle Theatre – a rich cultural experience offering the very best in musical entertainment

Al Felaij Castle was built towards the end of the eighteenth century and was designed in a rectangular shape that incorporates two towers of nine metre each in height. The castle is located outside of Muscat in a quiet location offering the perfect setting for concerts and theatrical events. The theatre was opened in 1999 by His Majesty the Sultan and with the full co-operation of UNESCO. Today the castle has become a landmark for cultural tourism and an arena for special creative and artistic shows. Recent events have included: The Swiss Orchestra, Juan Martin – the famous Andalusian singer and harp player and shortly, the Scottish and Cuban Rhythms, a fusion of highland sounds and the Latino rhythms of Cuba. For further information, contact Oman Tourism: mark@afkmarketing.com

The Hotel Golden Oasis in Al Wadi Al Kabir is set for expansion

The Hotel Golden Oasis in Al Wadi Al Kabir has just begun an ambitious expansion project which will virtually double the size of the existing property and add a new building with six floors and 33 additional rooms. Other facilities will include a shopping arcade, large lobby lounge, business centre and function hall.

The project is being built at a cost of more than US$2.5m and construction is now underway. The completion date is forecast for the beginning of 2008. Al Wadi Al Kabir has become increasingly popular with visitors to Oman as the destination offers an excellent base for soft adventure activities. For further information, contact the hotel on: +968 24811655 or visit their website: www.hotelgoasis.com

	GIBTM, Abu Dhabi – 13-15 March, 2007 – Oman Tourism is set to profile its meetings and incentives capabilities GIBTM is the premier three-day exhibition for the global meetings and incentives (otherwise known as MICE) industry, taking place at the ADNEC exhibition centre in Abu Dhabi, from 13-15 March 2007. This new launch event will provide a dedicated meeting place for the Gulf and wider Middle East region, creating international business opportunities into and out of the region. GIBTM will unite international and local meetings and incentives venues, destinations, suppliers and partners with meeting planners, incentive travel buyers and decision makers, for three days of networking and business.
If you or a corporate client is planning to attend GIBTM and would like to make an appointment with Oman Tourism, email requests to: mark@afkarmarketing.com

Oman Tourism will host a group of buyers from GIBTM on a post-exhibition FAM trip to Muscat

Oman tourism will take a group of 20 hosted buyers from GIBTM to Muscat from the 16-18th March, 2007. These pre-qualified buyers will experience an introduction to what Muscat and its surrounding areas have to offer to the meetings and incentives market.

Muscat offers quality, luxury accommodation in some of the most beautiful settings in the World. This, together with a wide range of land and sea-based soft adventure activities, make Oman an ideal destination for a productive and exciting incentive. For further information, please contact: mark@afkarmarketing.com

Winter Weekend Breaks in Salalah – there has never been a better time to getaway

Salalah enjoys average daily temperatures in the mid 20’s centigrade. With sunny skies, beautiful beaches and the clear warm waters of the Arabian Gulf, Oman’s second largest city offers plenty to see and do. If your clients want to relax and enjoy great hospitality, then Salalah offers a variety of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes. The luxurious Hilton and Crowne Plaza Resorts provide guests will spectacular views of the Arabian Sea from their beach front locations. For the more adventurous, guests can explore the countryside around Salalah. The magnificent mountains are only 30 minutes from the city and a day trekking enjoying the magnificent views is well worth effort.

Salalah is also home to some of Oman’s most ancient archaeological sites. Different civilisations have succeeded each other here and the ruins of the ancient cities of Al Blaid and Samhuram date back more than 3,000 years.

Oman Air Holidays offers great value packages to Salalah, on their non-stop services from Dubai or from other points in the GCC via Muscat. The following packages are for a minimum of two nights and include flights from Dubai, hotel accommodation with breakfast and private car transfers. The prices are also based on two people travelling together. Taxes and surcharges apply.

Haffa House Hotel, Salalah – AED 780 per person
Hilton Resort, Salalah – AED 1060 per person
Crowne Plaza, Salalah – AED 1345 per person

In the UAE, contact Oman Air Holidays on: +971 4 352 1777 or elsewhere in the GCC, call the local Oman Air office.

The Hilton Resort offers great rates at weekends from only US$210++. Further information can be found from their website www.hilton.com

The Crowne Plaza Resort offers great rates at weekends from only US$200++. Further information can be found on their website: www.crowneplaza.com

Oman Destination Management Companies

Whether you are a tour operator, travel agent or M.I.C.E. planner, finding the right partner for your ground services requirements is very important. Each month we will provide you with contact details for the destination management companies in Oman, in alphabetical order. Also, we are inviting destination management companies to provide us with product information to share with you.

Airborne Travel & Tourism P.O. Box 167 Postal Code 112, Ruwi Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 479 295 Fax: +968 24 482297 Email: faisal@airbornettc.com Website: www.airbornettc.com	Bahwan Tours P.O. Box 282 Post Code 113, Muscat Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 704 455 Fax: +968 24 794189 Email: sanjay@bahwantravels.com www.bahwantravels.com	Eihab Travels P.O. Box 889 Post Code 113 Muscat Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 796 387 Fax: +968 24 793849 Email: inbound@omanvalueholidays.com Website: www.omanvalueholidays.com
Elite Tourism P.O. Box 36 Mina Al Fahal 116 Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 485020 Fax: +968 24 485019 Email: elitetor@omantel.net.om	Global Tours P.O. Box 494 Post Code 133, Muscat Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 695 959 Fax: +968 24 695 969 Email: globtour@omantel.net.om	Global Scuba L.L.C. PO Box 309 Madinat Sultan Qaboos PC 115 Sultanate of Oman Tel/Fax: +968 24692346 E-mail: enquiries@global-scuba.com www.global-scuba.com
Golden Oryx Tours P.O Box 1859 Ruwi Post Code 112 Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 489 853 Fax: +968 24 489556 Email: info@goldenoryx.com www.goldenoryx.com	Gulf Ventures P.O. Box 985 Ruwi 112 Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 706381 Fax: +968 24 796 998 Email: ouatravelcentre@oua.co.om andreasg@oua.co.om	Khasab Travel & Tours P.O. Box 464 Post Code 811 Khasab Musandam Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 26 730 464 Fax: +968 26 730 364 Email: khastour@omantel.net.om www.khasabtours.com
Majan Tours PO Box 488 Ruwi 112 Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24700900 Fax: +968 24703922 Majtours@omantel.net.om	Mark Tours P.O. Box 3310 Post Code 112 Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 567996 Fax: +968 24 565434 Email: nizar@marktoursoman.com www.mark-oman.com	Mezoon Travel LLC P.O. Box 629 Post Code 113 Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 796680 Fax: +968 24 796690/ 24 795721 Email: manoj.dass@mezoontravel.co.om
Muscat Diving & Adventure Center PO Box 552 Al Azaiba PC 130 Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24485663 Fax: +968 24485774 E-mail: info@holiday-in-oman.com www.holiday-in-oman.com	Muscat Desert Adventures Tourism Shatti Al-Qurm Al Sarooj Street, Way 3054 Muscat Sultanate of Oman +968 24601800 +968 24 601300 jamal@desertadventures.com www.desertadventures.com	Muscat Holidays PO Box 746 PC 112 Ruwi Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24695991 Fax: +968 24695992 E-mail: info@muscatholidays.com www.muscatholidays.com
National Travel and Tourism P.O. Box 962 Post Code 113, Muscat Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 566046 Fax: +968 24 566125 Email nttoman@omantel.net.om www.nttoman.com	Net Tours Oman P.O. Box 50 PC 131, Hamriya Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 696 941 Fax: +968 24 696 941 Email: netgroup@omantel.net.om	Oman Dive Center PO Box 199 PC115 Madinat Sultan Qaboos Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24824240 Fax: +968 24824241 E-mail: steffi@omandivecenter.com www.omandivecentre.com
Oman World Tourism L.L.C P.O.Box: 133, P.C: 118, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Mob: +968 95051996 Fax: +968 24 69 32 44 Email: issa@omanworldtourism.com www.omanworldtourism.com	Rawabi Desert Adventures Muscat Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 95201107 Fax: +968 24 505664 Email: info@rawabi-adventures.com www.rawabi-adventures.com	Shanfari Travels & Tourism P.O. Box: 783, PC 113, Ruwi Sultanate of Oman. Tel: 00968-24786916,24700268 Fax:00968-24785371 Email: louella@shanfari.com
Zahara Travel and Service Bureau LLC P.O. Box 833 Postal Code 112, Ruwi Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24 692 940 Fax: +968 24 692 950 Email: inbound@zaharatours.com www.zaharatours.com	Travco Oman PO Box 1155 Sultanate of Oman Tel: +96824698500 Fax: +96824699959 E-mail: jacquie.blaylock@travcotravel.com Web Site: www.travcotravel.com

News items for the next issue

We value your contribution. If you provide hospitality services and would like to update the region’s travel trade on offers and events, please let us have your news. As a reader, if you have ideas for items that should be included, please contact us: oman@afkarmarketing.com

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