10 Fast Facts About Oman - E to L

Electricity: The electrical system is based on 220/240 AC volts with British-type plugs.

Facilities for the physically challenged: Most hotels and public places provide facilities and make special arrangements for physically challenged visitors.

Getting around: Oman has a modern network of roads and motorways. Several car-hire companies offer a range of vehicles, including four-wheel drives for visitors who are heading off-road. Taxis are the easiest way to get around Muscat. It is best if you agree on the fare beforehand, as taxis are not metered. Most hotels can arrange transport for guests, including limousines or bus services for larger groups. The world’s fastest diesel-powered passenger ferries, the Shinas and Hormuz catamarans (www.nfc.om), link Muscat directly with Oman’s northernmost peninsula, Musandam. They are the first of a fleet of five high-speed vessels that will improve access to more remote areas of Oman for residents and tourists alike.

One of the most popular ways to see Muscat is aboard one of the city’s new Big Bus Tours (www.bigbustours.com). Tourists and locals alike may explore the city on double-decker buses. The hop-on, hop-off tours stop at 12 Muscat landmarks, including the Royal Palaces, Muttrah Souk and the new Royal Opera House.

Getting there: Muscat International Airport is located 30km from Muscat city centre. It offers both international and domestic flights. Flying from Heathrow, award-winning national carrier Oman Air (www.omanair.com) offers daily, 7 hour, non-stop direct flights from London to Muscat. Oman Air is also the country’s domestic airline, offering 42 flights a week to Salalah in Dhofar, and daily flights to Musandam (Khasab Airport). Many other international airlines fly into Muscat, including British Airways (direct), Gulf Air via Bahrain, Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi, Emirates Airlines via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha, as well as Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss Air. Qatar Airways also fly’s to Salalah via Doha. 

Government: Oman is known formally as the Sultanate of Oman. The country is an absolute monarchy ruled by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who ascended to power in 1970 and his appointed cabinet.

Health: While tap water is safe for drinking, most Omanis opt for locally bottled mineral water. Most hotels have medical help available and the country possesses a modern medical infrastructure in terms of private and government medical facilities.

Hotels: Oman currently offers over 12,792 rooms including many three, four, five and one six-star properties including leading hotel brands: Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace, Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Intercontinental Muscat, Crowne Plaza, The Chedi among others. This is set to increase to 19,415 by 2015.

Most recently the Juweira Boutique Hotel (www.juweirahotel.com) was designed by Egyptian architect Adel Mokhtar, this five-star resort is based at Salalah Beach. As well as more than 100 elegant guestrooms, the hotel boasts 21 luxury suites. All rooms and suites possess private sea-facing terraces. The Duqm City Hotel a 117 room business hotel equipped with comfortable rooms and business amenities opened its doors at the end of 2012 catering for business travellers seeking affordable and contemporary Omani hospitality along with the 4 Star, 200 room Duqm Crowne Plaza both ideally located from which to visit the Duqm Rock Gardens. A dozen eco-friendly luxury tents were added to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve’s (www.rasaljinz-turtlereserve.com) accommodation options in early 2013. An 800-metre walkway links the spacious tents, located atop a picturesque hill, to the reserve’s Scientific and Visitor Centre.

Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Local Time: GMT + 4 hours

Location: The Sultanate of Oman is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. The United Arab Emirates splits the country, with Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula separated from the larger Omani mainland by approximately 100km. The warm waters of the Arabian Sea lap the country’s East Coast. 

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om