THE SULTANATE OF OMAN & THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN JOIN FORCES AT THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2013

The Orchid Society of Great Britain’s 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibit will be sponsored by the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism due to Oman’s strong association with orchids, as exotic orchids including Eulophia guineensis, Eulophia petersii, Habenaria myodes and Habenaria malacophylla are all native to Oman.

The Chelsea Flower Show runs from 21 – 25 May 2013, in the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital, with press day on 20 May 2013. It is Britain’s most prestigious flower show, mainly due to its connection with the royal family, who attend on the opening day every year.

Oman is a nation that is keen to protect its magnificent nature with a new Botanic Garden being created near Muscat, Oman’s capital, that will endeavour to display the entire flora of the Sultanate, including native orchids such as Eulophia guineensis.  This orchid grows in the mountain forests of Oman and has attractive pink and white flowers with the extravagant ‘lip’, or modified petal, which is characteristic of most orchids.

For thousands of years orchids have captivated mankind with their exotic beauty but have also been believed to have medicinal, almost magical, properties. Eulophia guineensis and Eulophia petersii are both used medicinally.

Visit The Orchid Society of Great Britain’s exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show from 21 – 25 May 2013 and discover Oman: www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2013
 
For more information and high resolution images please contact:

Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Office in the UK and Ireland
Alison Cryer/Nick Smith
Tel: + 44 (0) 208 877 4501/4504
Email: oman@representationplus.co.uk
Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om

The Orchid Society of Great Britain
Visit: www.osgb.org.uk
Media Contact/Designer:     Val Micklewright, 01293 528615, val@micklewright.com
Media Contact/Designer:    Sam Hurley, 07900 250247, sam@ballyhurley.com

THE SULTANATE OF OMAN CHANGES WEEKEND DAYS FROM 01 MAY 2013

As of 01 May 2013, The Sultanate of Oman will be changing their weekend to fall on Friday and Saturday rather than the current Thursday and Friday to bring it in line with the majority of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait all adhering to the same days. The change will also bring Oman in line with their financial institutions as the banking sector has been working to a Friday and Saturday weekend since July 2008.

The news has been welcomed by businesses in Oman as the decision eases trading with the international markets both in the Gulf and the Western world, resulting in further facilitation of Oman’s tourism promotion. “The ‘extra working day’ in line with the UK markets will benefit communications within the tourism sector to ensure that tourist figures to Oman continue to rise”, commented Alison Cryer, the Oman Ministry of Tourism’s UK Based Representative.   

For more information please contact:

Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Office in the UK and Ireland

Alison Cryer/Nick Smith

Tel: + 44 (0) 208 877 4501/4504

Email: oman@representationplus.co.uk

Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om

THE SULTANATE OF OMAN MAJOR NEW DEVELOPMENT OPENINGS IN 2013/2014

Oman expects to open several new hotels and complexes with more than 2,000 resort and hotel rooms to be added in 2013. Oman’s Capital City Muscat will see the majority of growth with over 720 new rooms, with the rest spread evenly across the country. New hotel openings in 2013 include the Fraser Place Sohar which is currently on track to open later on in 2013 and the Azaiba Hotel, Muscat, an $80 million 5* project that is expected to be operational by mid-2013.

The Sultanate's expanding hotel portfolio will soon include Four Seasons, Banyan Tree Hotels and Hotel Missoni in Muscat’s Jebel Sifah project. Omran (the Sultanate’s leading tourism-related development, hospitality management and investment company) has recently announced that it has passed the 60% construction mark of its 2,000 metre hilltop luxury project, the Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort, set to open its doors in December 2013 and the 110-room Khasab Hotel in Musandam is also set to open towards the end of 2013.

These developments are in addition to boutique hotels that opened in 2012 including the 5* Juweira Boutique Hotel, Salalah Beach, The View and Sahab Hotel in the Jebel Akhdar mountain range and the Jebel Sifah boutique hotel near Muscat. Following the Sultanate’s sustainable tourism model, Omran recently completed the installation and furnishing of ten eco-friendly luxury tents at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. The increase in accommodation availability also included the completion of an 800 metre walkway that enables visitors to move from the reserve’s Scientific and Visitor Centre to the tents’ picturesque location.

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.

Developments around the Sultanate include a 20-room and 12-villa Cheval Blanc Resort on Sodah Island with private beaches for each unit and a new Crowne Plaza in the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre precinct both due to be completed by the end of 2015.

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, due for completion at the end of 2015, is set to become an iconic landmark for Muscat and the Sultanate of Oman. Surrounded by nature it overlooks a wadi that is a haven for Oman’s exotic bird life. The world-class facility is perfectly suited to host international, regional and national conventions, exhibitions and business events. Amongst its features will be a tiered auditorium seating 3,200 people and more than 22,000 square metres of exhibition space.

 

For more information please contact:
Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Office in the UK and Ireland
Alison Cryer/Nick Smith
Tel: + 44 (0) 208 877 4501/4504
Email: oman@representationplus.co.uk 

Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om

WATCH, TAKE PART, OR JUST PARTY THE NIGHT AWAY AT OMAN’S 3RD INTERNATIONAL SALSA & DANCE FESTIVAL

Yet another facet of this diverse country and swiftly following the Tour of Oman won by Chris Froome the third Oman International Salsa & Dance Festival kicks off today with a lively pre festival party at the pool area of the festival’s home, Al Nahda Resort and Spa, just outside Oman’s capital city of Muscat. The festival that runs until 02 March 2013 is a gathering of professional artists, performers, instructors and DJ’s bringing salsa to enthusiasts and novices alike. The event is three days and nights of a variety of dances with all-night salsa, BBQ’s and pool parties, www.omansalsafestival.com.

Guests will learn from the best of the best in the Latin dance industry. There is something for everyone at the festival from the absolute beginner to the advanced dancer. Daily workshops teach an array of dance including Salsa, Bachata, Spins, Cha Cha, Mens and Ladies Styling, Cuban Salsa, Zaire, Reggaeton, Belly Dance, Hip Hop, Samba, and Zouk just to name a few! For those that would rather watch than take part there are spectacular shows on Thursday and Friday evening from 8.30pm-10.30pm featuring acclaimed international dancers.

The festival promises to have a great atmosphere with after show party’s keeping guests dancing until the early hours. On Saturday 02 March there is even a pool party that gets underway at 10am with salsa DJ’s on hand to supply the tunes throughout each party.

Built into the festivals itinerary is also the chance to enjoy a sightseeing tour of Muscat on either Thursday 28 February 2013 or on Sunday 04 March 2013.  A tour of Oman’s spectacular capital is strongly advised to all guests. The tours will showcase Muscat’s breathtaking intermingling of ancient cultural heritage and modern style. Visitors will see Muscat’s authentic houses, forts, muttrah souk, small shops, and winding roads side by side with modern buildings and streets. Oman has developed its own architectural style that allows its historic buildings to blend comfortably with low rise modern developments. A visit of the Royal Opera House and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque are a must or unwind on a traditional dhow cruise off Muscat’s coastline. Visitors to Oman’s capital can now explore the city even easier with the new 12-stop hop-on, hop-off Double Decker Big Bus Tours, www.bigbustours.com. Follow in the footsteps of HRH Prince Charles visiting Oman later in the month and put the 4th Oman International Salsa & Dance Festival in your diary for a reason to visit Oman in 2014.

For more information & high-res images please contact:
Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Office in the UK and Ireland
Alison Cryer/Nick Smith
Tel: + 44 (0) 208 877 4501/4504
Email: oman@representationplus.co.uk
 Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om

CHRIS FROOME WINS TOUR OF OMAN 2013!

Runner-up of the 2012 Tour de France, Christopher Froome of Great Britain’s Team Sky started his 2013 season in style, winning the 4th edition of the Tour of Oman that came to a thrilling close on Saturday. The tour ran from 11-16 February 2013 with 5 stages and 1 time trial, covering a total distance of 938.5km with 18 professional cycling teams participating, made up of 144 of the most recognized names in the sport.

The cyclists competed in stages that saw them race through Oman’s vibrant capital city, Muscat and the Al Batinah, the Al Dhakaliya and Al Dhahirah regions in glorious 30˚C sunshine.

His Excellency Sultan Hamdoon Al Harthi, Head of Muscat Municipality and organiser of the Tour of Oman stated “It has been an honour to be able to watch a battle between the best riders in the world unfold here in Oman. We have the ideal landscape for cycling and I am optimistic that the combination of our road system, organisation, the warm weather, and most importantly, the warmth and enthusiasm of the Omani people will continue to make our race a firm favourite on the calendar for elite cyclists for many years to come. 

It is fitting that we used the occasion of the Tour of Oman to launch O'bike, the first self-service bicycle system in Oman. This is the next step in Muscat Municipality's vision to make Muscat a city for people and part of our plan to build on the momentum that the Tour has created to inspire both locals and tourists to take up cycling in Muscat."

His Excellency Sheikh Saad Mohamed Al Saadi, Minister of Sports Affairs was the Guest of Honour for the final stage and shared his appreciation of the value of the Tour of Oman to the development of sport in Oman "This race is impressive and we are extremely proud to be hosting these elite athletes in Oman. The crowds watching from the finish line speak for themselves and showcase the increasing popularity of cycling here in Oman. We look forward to welcoming the cyclists back for the 2014 Tour of Oman."  The tour is expected to be just as popular next year running in February and will again be the first major tour of the calendar year. 

A smiling Chris Froome, winner of the 2013 Tour of Oman said at the launch of the O’Bike initiative "This was another exciting route, and exciting finale”.

The event showcased Oman’s natural beauty and varied landscape with the cyclists tackling undulating terrain in the glorious sunshine. Oman hopes to welcome many more visitors for the Tour of Oman in 2014. Whilst in Oman, tourists should be sure to explore Muscat with its ancient cultural heritage and modern style, indulge in pure luxury in some of the most spectacular resorts & spas in the world, experience off road driving in the desert, dive off the shores of Oman’s spectacular 3,165km coastline or play golf at one of Muscat’s three 18 hole courses. With its mountains and coastal weather, cyclists can enjoy Oman year round www.omantourism.gov.om.