Tourism in Oman

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Al-Alam Palace is one of the most famous landmarks in Oman Al-alamPalace.jpg
Al-Alam Palace is one of the most famous landmarks in Oman
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Oman is a country on the Arabian Peninsula. Tourism in Oman grew considerably during the 2000s, and a 2013 report predicted that it would become one of the largest industries in the nation. In 2019, Oman attracted about 4.1 million visitors from around the world, a massive increase from 3.1 million in 2017 as per the 2019 Tourism Statistic Bulletin from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Oman.

Contents

Oman has various tourist attractions, particularly within the realm of cultural tourism. [1] Muscat was named the best city to visit in the world by American travel guide publisher Lonely Planet in 2012, [2] and was chosen as the Capital of Arab Tourism of 2012. [3]

Visa

Visa policy of Oman
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Oman
Visa-free
Visa required Visa policy of Oman.svg
Visa policy of Oman
  Oman
  Visa-free
  Visa required

Visitors to Oman must obtain a visa prior to travel unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. Citizens of member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council may travel to Oman without visa limits. Nationals of 69 other countries can apply for visa online which are valid for a period of 30 days. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months. [4]

Statistics

Excluding the GCC states, the countries with the greatest number of passport holders visiting Oman in 2013 were: [5]

RankCountryNumber
1Flag of India.svg  India 244,786
2Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 133,529
3Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 67,893
4Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 55,126
5Flag of the United States.svg  United States 53,165
6Flag of France.svg  France 40,253
7Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 28,541
8Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 26,063
9Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 24,897
10Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 20,191

Nature based activities

Beach activities

Seeb Beach SEEBbch.jpg
Seeb Beach

Oman's coast is lined with many beaches, with resort hotels on the coast west and east of Muscat. Activities including sunbathing, swimming, kitesurfing, diving, snorkeling, boating and water scooters, surfing, beach combing, shell collecting and fishing excursions.

Kitesurfing

The daily sea breeze effect gives rise to reliable kitesurfing conditions. Centres can be found in Muscat, Al Sawadi Beach, Alzaiba Beach and on Masirah Island. [6] [7]

Desert safari

Tourists riding camels in the Wahiba Sands Wahiba Sands (33).jpg
Tourists riding camels in the Wahiba Sands

Camelback or four-wheel drive journeys into the Wahiba Sands and other desert areas are popular, sometimes incorporating stays in Barsti huts, barbecues, camel riding, sandboarding and visits to Bedouin communities.

Caving

The limestone rich sedimentary deposits of Oman's mountains have led to cave formation in many places. In 2008, the Ministry of Tourism issued a plan to develop Majlis al Jinn, the world's second largest cave, as a show cave, after their first show cave, Al Hoota Cave, attracted 75,000 visitors in the first year of operation. [8] There are caves which can be accessed by amateurs, like Muqal Cave in Wadi Bani and Khalid and in Baydiah in Ash Sharqiyah region, while others need considerable effort, training, experience and specialized equipment.

Historic and cultural locations

Markets

Omani souqs (markets) are popular with tourists, and are highly diverse with stalls selling handicrafts such as silver and gold artefacts and textiles. There are souqs in every Omani town, with the Ruwi and Muttrah Souqs the best known in Muscat.

Museums

Forts

Nakhal Fort Nakhal Fort (2).jpg
Nakhal Fort

Nearly every Omani city and town has a fort, most of which were built, or had major expansions, during the Al-Yarubi dynasty between 1624 and 1744. Their purpose was as a refuge for the people and a last line of defense for the town. Forts were prepared to withstand long sieges with water wells, food storing capacity and secret tunnels ending many kilometers away from the walls of the fort. In times of peace they served as centres of governance, educational establishments or community facilities.

World Heritage Sites

UNESCO's International Heritage Preserve Programme Administration lists four elements of cultural significance in Oman.

Bahla Fort

Part of the capital of the Nabhani dynasty, who dominated Oman and prospered in the Arabian Peninsula during the late Middle Ages. [9]

Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn

The graves at Al-Ayn in Oman World Heritage Graves Al Ayn Oman.JPG
The graves at Al-Ayn in Oman

Remnants of settlements and necropolises from the 3rd millennium BCE. The necropolis of Bat reflects the funeral practices of the early Bronze Age. [10]

Land of Frankincense

Frankincense trees in Dhofar in southern Oman Oman Dhofar Frankincense.jpg
Frankincense trees in Dhofar in southern Oman

Various sites were important in the production and distribution of frankincense, which was once a sought-after item of luxury in antiquity, including the ancient ports of Khor Rori and Al-Baleed, and the caravan oases of Shisr and Wadi Dawkah [11]

Falaj irrigation systems

Five falajs were inscribed in 2006 to represent an irrigation method dating back to at least 500 CE, and still used in most Omani towns and villages, that distributes water through gravity. [12]

Cultural Events

Muscat Festival

The Muscat Festival [13] is held annually in January and February. International exhibits and displays of traditional Omani lifestyle, art and culture are featured, with circus and street theatre productions are also a part of the event.

Salalah Festival

The Salalah Festival takes place in the months of July and August, when the area is cooler than elsewhere in the Gulf statesand is a family oriented event with cultural, traditional and modern artistic shows.

Cultural theatre program

The Ministry of Tourism organises a number of cultural evenings at the ancient Al Flayj Castle and Al Morooj theatres, hosting groups from around the world, from December to the end of March.

Sporting and adventure events

Horse and camel racing

From September to June, equestrian races organised by the Oman Equestrian Federation are held in various towns. Public events are staged at the royal stables in Seeb, while most breeders and trainers are based in the Al Kamil/Al Wafi region.

Long distance camel races are held on specially built race tracks, normally on public holidays and during National Day celebrations. As with horse races, camel races are arranged by the OEF, although some regions organize their own local races.

Dubai–Muscat offshore sailing race

The Dubai–Muscat regatta takes place every January. Boats set sail from Dubai, passing through the Straits of Hormuz before heading towards Muscat and ending at the Bandar Al-Rawdah Marina.

Sinbad Classic

An international deep sea fishing contest, the Sinbad Classic is one of the IGFA World Championships qualifying rounds and takes place each April.

Oman Adventure

A five day endurance race held annually in November, each team consists of a runner and a cyclist and must manage the preparation and coordination of their own food and water and other supplies.

Oman International Rally

The Oman International Rally held annually in March, is one of the events that constitute the Middle East Rally Championship.

Bidiyah Challenge

A race to scale sand dunes held every February in Bidiya in Sharqiyah Region.

Tour of Oman

An annual professional road bicycle racing stage race held in Oman since 2010 as part of the UCI Asia Tour. Its stated goals are to promote cycling as a sport in Oman; to put Oman on the world stage as an attractive tourist destination; and stimulate trade and economic activity within the country. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Oman</span>

Oman is a country on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, situated in West Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The coast of Oman was an important part in the Omani empire and sultanate.

This article is about transport in Oman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muscat</span> Capital and largest city of Oman

Muscat is the capital and most populous city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the population of the Muscat Governorate in 2022 was 1.72 million. The metropolitan area includes six provinces, called wilayats, and spans approximately 3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi), making it the largest city by area on the Arabian Peninsula. Known since the early 1st century AD as an leading port for trade between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled successively by various indigenous tribes, as well as by foreign powers such as the Persians, the Portuguese Empire and the Ottoman Empire. In the 18th century, Muscat was a regional military power: its influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign traders and settlers such as the Persians, the Balochs and the Sindhis. Beginning in 1970, after the accession of Qaboos bin Said as the Sultan of Oman, Muscat experienced rapid infrastructural development; it developed a vibrant economy and became a multi-ethnic society. The Globalization and World Cities Research Network classifies Muscat as a Beta-level Global City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muttrah</span> Province in Muscat Governorate, Oman

Muttrah, administratively a wilayah (province), is located in the Muscat Governorate of Oman. Before the discovery of oil in Oman, Muttrah was the center of commerce in Oman (Muscat). It is still a center of commerce as one of the largest seaports of the region is located there. Other landmarks include Souq Muttrah, a traditional bazaar and Sour Al-Lawatiah, a small community of houses surrounded by an old wall. To the south lies Muscat District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nizwa</span> City in Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman

Nizwa is the largest city in Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Oman proper. Nizwa is about 140 km from the Omani capital Muscat. The population is estimated at around 83,544 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seeb</span> Province in Muscat, Oman

Al-Seeb, As Seeb, As Sib, or Seeb is a coastal fishing province, located several kilometres northwest of Muscat, in northeastern Oman. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 470,878.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ras al Hadd</span> Place

Raʾs al-Ḥadd is a village in Ash Sharqiyah district in Oman. It is on a point at the entrance to the Gulf of Oman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masirah Island</span> Omani island

Masirah Island, also referred to as Mazeira Island or Wilāyat Maṣīrah, is an island off the east coast of mainland Oman in the Arabian Sea, and the largest island of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalba</span> City in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Kalba is a city in the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an exclave of Sharjah lying on the Gulf of Oman coast north of Oman. Khor Kalba, an important nature reserve and mangrove swamp, is located south of the town by the Omani border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barka, Oman</span> Place in Al Batinah South Governorate, Oman

Barka is a coastal city and Wilayah (Province) in the region Al Bāţinah, in northern Oman. Bordered by the Sea of Oman and the Hajar Mountains in southern Batinah, Barka is about a half-hour drive from As-Seeb and roughly an hour's drive from Al-Khuwair and Ruwi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sur, Oman</span> City in Ash Sharqiyah Region, Oman

Sur is the capital city of Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate, and the former capital of Ash Sharqiyah Region in northeastern Oman, on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. It is located about 126 miles (203 km) southeast of the Omani capital Muscat. Historically, the city has been known for being an important destination point for sailors. Today, the sea still remains an important part of life in Sur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibra</span> Town in Ash Sharqiyah Region, Oman

Ibra is the second largest city in the Ash Sharqiyah Region of Oman. It is located about 170 km from Muscat and has a population estimated at 55,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Oman-related articles</span>

This page list topics related to Oman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Jalali Fort</span> Fort in the harbor of Old Muscat, Oman

Al Jalali Fort, or Ash Sharqiya Fort, is a fort in the harbor of Old Muscat, Oman. The fort was built by the Portuguese under Philip I of Portugal in the 1580s on an earlier Omani fortress to protect the harbor after Muscat had twice been sacked by Ottoman forces. The fort fell to Omani forces in 1650. During the civil wars between 1718 and 1747, the fort was twice captured by Persians who had been invited to assist one of the rival Imams. The fort was extensively rebuilt later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalan Bani Bu Ali</span> Village in Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate, Oman

Jalan Bani Bu Ali is a commercial town and tourist destination in Oman.

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Muscat, Oman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Muscat</span>

Old Muscat is the original historic city of Muscat, the capital of Oman, on the coast in the Gulf of Oman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhofar Mountains</span> Mountain range in southern Oman

The Dhofar Mountains are a mountain range in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. In a broad sense, they extend from Dhofar Governorate in Oman to Hadhramaut Governorate in Yemen, and are located between the Hajar in the northern part of Oman, and the Sarawat in the western part of Yemen. Otherwise, the range in the eastern part of Yemen, particularly near Mukalla, is referred to as the Hadhramaut or "Mahrat".

The COVID-19 pandemic in Oman was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was confirmed to have reached Oman on 24 February 2020 when two citizens tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from Iran. As of 21 August 2021, the total number of cases registered in the sultanate is 300,914, of which 289,450 have recovered and 4,020 have died. Initially, the majority of the cases and deaths occurred in the expatriate community. By July 2020, as the pandemic entered its fourth month in the country, the majority of the cases and deaths had occurred among the citizens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Route 1 (Oman)</span> Road in the Sultanate of Oman

Route 1 also known as the Sultan Qaboos Street or Al Batinah Highway is a major four-lane highway in the Sultanate of Oman, connecting Muscat, the capital city in the Sultanate and a hub for commercial activity, to the many coastal cities of Oman that sit alongside the Sea of Oman such as Seeb and Sohar. It also connects Muscat to the United Arab Emirates.

References

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  2. Richard I'Anson. "Lonely Planet's Best in Travel: top 10 cities for 2012 - travel tips and articles". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  3. "Home Page - Gulf in the Media" . Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  4. "Visa and passport". Timatic . International Air Transport Association through Emirates . Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  5. Number of Tourists to Oman
  6. "Oman's desert island". the Guardian. 2010-09-03. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  7. "Riding the desert winds of the Masirah Island". Surfertoday. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  8. World’s second-largest cave to boost tourism: The National, May 17, 2008 Archived June 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Bahla Fort". UNESCO . Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  10. "Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn". UNESCO . Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  11. "Land of Frankincense". UNESCO . Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  12. "Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman". UNESCO . Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  13. "muscat-festival.com" . Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  14. "Tour of Oman". Tourofoman.om. 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2013-06-09.