Oman Holidays, Flights & Travel Guide
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holidays & Oman flights.
Top destination guides for Oman
holidays;
Oman Holidays
and Travel Overview
Up until just 20 or so years ago the
Sultanate of Oman, second largest country in Arabia, was secretive
and reclusive, its people kept from the modern world by a
repressive 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 cautiously welcoming a trickle of tourists at
Seeb International Airport. Oman occupies the
south eastern 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 use of oil revenue Muscat
has taken on the veneer of a prosperous modern Arab city, without
losing its olde worlde charm and heritage, featuring 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.
Tourist Offices - Directorate of Tourism, Muscat: +968 2458
8700 or www.omantourism.gov.om
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Entry Requirements
for Oman Holidays & Oman Travel
All visitors (except those with Gulf
Co-Operation Council passports) require a visa to enter Oman. Visas
can be obtained on arrival: either a single entry 'Visit Visa' for
a stay of up to a month, or a multiple entry visa, valid for a year
(maximum stay three weeks with a maximum three weeks between
visits). Fee is OMR6 per person. Those entering from Dubai or
holding a tourist visa for Qatar do not require a visa. All
visitors require a passport valid for six months (or a year for a
multiple entry visa), and an onward or return
ticket.
- For Australians -
A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or
one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per
visit) is obtainable on arrival, and a valid passport is
required.
- A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or
one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per
visit) is obtainable on arrival, and a valid passport is
required.
- A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or
one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per
visit) is obtainable on arrival, and a valid passport is
required.
- A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or
one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per
visit) is obtainable on arrival, and a valid passport is
required.
- A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or
one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per
visit) is obtainable on arrival, and a valid passport is
required.
Currency of Oman
The currency of Oman is the Omani Rial (OMR)
divided into 1,000 baiza. 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, which accept Cirrus or More
cards for cash withdrawals.
Oman
Telephone Access Codes and 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.
Oman
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to Oman do not have to pay duty on 2
litres/2 bottles of liquor per family provided they are non-Muslim
visitors. Videotapes for personal use may be confiscated and sent
to Ministry of National Heritage and Culture for verification.
Prohibited items include bees, and 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.
Oman
Holidays - Tipping Information
Service charge is usually added to bills, and
tipping is not expected; however a "little extra" is appreciated..
A general rule would be 5% additional to service charge, or between
10 to 15% where service has not been added.
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