Destination:
Oman

Overview

Up until just 20 or so years ago the Sultanate of Oman, the second largest country in Arabia, was secretive and reclusive, its people kept from the modern world by on oppressive ruler to the point that the gates of the capital city Muscat were closed from dusk to dawn. The surly Sultan, however, was overthrown by his British-educated son in 1970, and since then Oman has been gradually gaining confidence and wealth, catching up with the times and welcoming expatriate workers and tourists alike at Seeb International Airport.

Oman occupies the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It's topography is varied and dramatic, with rocky mountains and deep water inlets in the north, rolling dunes and salt flats in the central interior, verdant green hills in the southern Dhofar province, and a coastline stretching thousands of miles with magnificent beaches and cosy coves.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said has realised that tourism is an integral part of his modernisation programme, but thus far it is the wealthy who are being urged to bring their holiday funds to spend in Oman. Sightseeing and activities are mainly restricted to Muscat and the southern town of Salalah, famed for its seafood, frankincense trees and the ruins of the palace of the Queen of Sheba. Accommodation is offered mainly in luxury resort hotels.

Making responsible use of oil revenue, Muscat has taken on the veneer of a prosperous modern Arab city without losing its old world charm and heritage. It features forts, palaces and other historic sites of interest to visitors, as well as an exciting traditional souq(bazaar) and some stunning long sandy beaches like Qurum, Bandar Al-Jissah and Yeti.

Basics

Time
Local time is GMT +4.

Electricity
Electrical current is 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs with rectangular, 3-pin flat blades are used.

Language
The official language of Oman is Arabic, but English is widely spoken. Hotel staff often also speak German and French.

Health
No vaccinations are required for entry to Oman, except for yellow fever for those entering within six days of having been in an infected area. Visitors should ensure they are up to date on all routine vaccinations. Avoid mosquito bites, as dengue fever may be a risk, and there is a small risk of malaria in remote areas. Brucellosis is reported, particularly in the south of the country. Health and medical services in the country, particularly Muscat, are of a high standard, but are expensive for foreigners (Oman nationals receive free treatment), so health insurance is recommended. Food and water in Muscat is considered safe, but bottled water and precautions with unpasteurised milk are advised outside of the city.

Tipping
A service charge is usually added to bills, however a "little extra" is appreciated, as the service charge usually never makes it to the attendant. A general rule would be 5% additional to service charge, or between 10 to 15% where service has not been added.

Safety
Like all the Gulf States, Oman is considered to be under a high risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, particularly against Western interests, therefore vigilance is necessary. Crime, though, is not a problem for visitors, although common sense precautions should be practised. Rental and company vehicles have been vulnerable to robbery in the southern areas of Thumrait, Marmul and Nimr. Women are advised not to wear shorts or scanty clothing in the towns to avoid risk of sexual harassment. It is advised to carry a copy of your passport at all times.

Customs
Oman is a predominantly Muslim country and visitors should respect religious sensitivity, particularly in the matter of dress and public conduct. Women, in particular, should wear loose fitting clothes that cover most of the body. Eating, drinking and smoking in public during the holy month of Ramadan should be avoided, as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Homosexuality is illegal in the country. Importing obscene publications or videos is subject to severe penalties. Alcohol is available only at licensed hotels and restaurants and penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol are drastic. The legal blood alcohol level in the country is close to zero.

Business
The business world in Oman is minute, with a small core of families controlling most of the country's industry and trade. As in most of the Middle East, it is preferable to conduct business face to face and develop good working relations built on trust and friendship. Hospitality is important and visitors will be treated with respect; it is a good idea to have a basic idea of Omani customs and attempting to speak some Arabic will be appreciated. Business attire is usually formal with suits and ties the norm; women in particular should dress modestly. English is spoken widely. The working week is normally from Saturday to Wednesday, with some businesses open on Thursday mornings, and hours can vary. Most businesses are open from 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm.

Communications
The international direct dialling code for Oman is +968, and the outgoing international code 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City/area codes are not necessary. The country has GSM 900 mobile phone networks in operation. Internet cafes are to be found in Muscat and Nizwa and email is available in most city hotels.

Duty Free
Travellers to Oman do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes and 2 litres/2 bottles of liquor per family, provided they are non-Muslim visitors. Meat products officially require an Islamic slaughter certificate. Videotapes for personal use may be confiscated and sent to Ministry of National Heritage and Culture for verification. Prohibited items include dates (including shoots of date palm), coconut, ornamental palm trees and parts thereof. Also prohibited are firearms and toy weapons, swords or knives and flammable material, obscene reading material and non-canned foodstuffs from cholera-infected areas. Items of value may be exempted, subject to an assessment by a security officer.

Currency

The currency of Oman is the Omani Rial (OMR) divided into 1,000 baisa. Notes come in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 rials, and 500, 250, 200 and 100 baiza. Foreign currency and travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks, exchange bureaux, hotels and at the airport. Outside banking hours, moneychangers operate between 4pm and 7pm in the evenings and at weekends. US Dollars are recommended. American Express, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are readily accepted in large shops and hotels and by an increasing number of traders in the souq. Most banks in cities and towns have ATMs.

OMR 1 =

US$ 2.59

£ 1.69

C$ 2.64

A$ 2.51

R 21.89

EUR 2.05

NZ$ 3.26

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Health

Health Overview
No vaccinations are required for entry to Oman, except for yellow fever for those entering within six days of having been in an infected area. Visitors should ensure they are up to date on all routine vaccinations. Avoid mosquito bites, as dengue fever may be a risk, and there is a small risk of malaria in remote areas. Brucellosis is reported, particularly in the south of the country. Health and medical services in the country, particularly Muscat, are of a high standard, but are expensive for foreigners (Oman nationals receive free treatment), so health insurance is recommended. Food and water in Muscat is considered safe, but bottled water and precautions with unpasteurised milk are advised outside of the city.

Visa

Americans


UK nationals


Canadians


Australians


South Africans


Irish nationals


New Zealanders

Passport/Visa Note
All visitors (except those with Gulf Co-Operation Council passports) require a visa to enter Oman. Visas can be obtained on arrival. All visitors require a passport with spare pages valid for six months (or a year for a multiple entry visa), onward or return tickets and all documents needed for the next destination. Gulf States nationals need only their National Identity Card for entry. Visitors with visas for Dubai and Qatar do not need a visa for Oman.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Contacts

Oman Tourism
Directorate of Tourism, Muscat: +968 2458 8700 or www.omantourism.gov.om

Foreign Embassies in Oman

Oman Embassies

Regions and Cities

Muscat

Muscat is the largest city in Oman, but the bustle of the modern capital city is easily forgotten with rug merchants, cannon-protected forts and an ornate sultan's palace overlooking the historic city harbour. The once important maritime city underwent a resurgence in the 1970s, when the Sultan Qaboos bin Said began to develop museums, mosques, palaces, and to restore relics of Muscat's history. Although Muscat is a popular destination for sightseeing tourists, many of the attractions are primarily regular fixtures of Omani life. The mosques are important religious sites, the ancient forts are still operated by the military and the palace is the seat of Oman's government. While this gives visitors an authentic experience, tourists can find playing second fiddle a little inconvenient. The beauty of the city, especially near the harbour, is what makes Muscat so alluring. The smooth curved stone architecture is a transition from the rocky landscape to the inviting water of the harbour. Many new buildings have continued with classic Arabic architecture, further protecting the city's legacy from the ravages of the modern world. Muscat is one of the safest, most cosmpolitan and open-minded city in the entire Gulf Region, and is fast becoming a Middle East tourism hotspot.