- Destinations
- Middle East
- Oman
Oman
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.
Information & Facts
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.
Climate
Oman's climate is mainly hot and dry, particularly in the
scorching barren interior where summer temperatures can soar to
130°F (54°C). On the coast humidity can be high during the summer
months. Milder temperatures and a more temperate climate are found
in the southern Dhofar region, which experiences heavy monsoon
rains between June and September each year. In general the rest of
the country experiences low and irregular rainfall. The best time
to visit Oman is from late September to early April, when daytime
temperatures are not too scorching.
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.
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.
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.
Electricity
Electrical current is 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs
with rectangular, 3-pin flat blades are used.
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.
Language
The official language of Oman is Arabic, but English is
widely spoken. Hotel staff often also speak German and
French.
Money
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.
Passport Visa
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.
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.
Time
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.