OMAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM EXHIBITING AT THE LONDON CRUISE SHOW

 

OMAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM EXHIBITING AT THE LONDON CRUISE SHOW

STAND E10 22 – 23 MARCH 2014

In the last decade, Oman has seen cruise passenger arrivals increase to in excess of quarter of a million per annum.  With cruise ships stopping on round-the-world voyages, repositioning voyages to and from Asia or as a key feature of itineraries by ships operating in Arabian Water, Oman has firmly established itself as an up-and-coming cruise ship destination.

Muscat, Khasab and Salalah are the three key ports servicing the country, allowing passengers to explore the rich and varied wildlife and cultural heritage Oman has to offer. Discover the wide range of attractions when having a day stop-over in Oman, including visits to a number of museums and art galleries, a trip to a Bedouin camp or a dive into Oman’s rich marine life at one of the numerous diving spots.

Muscat, the capital of Oman is a perfect blend of old and new and has a wonderful landscape with mountains on the one side and the beautiful Indian Ocean on the other. Muscat’s most popular attractions are the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House, the Al Alam Palace , Mutrah Souk,  Bait al Zubair museum and the Big Bus Tour  and for a little more adventure try a four wheel drive safari in the desert. For something totally different, cruise to Salalah in the south of Oman and experience the Dhofar region’s lush green landscapes. Unspoiled beaches make Salalah a true paradise for water sports, ideal for scuba diving, canoeing, sailing and jet skiing. The Musandam Peninsula (Khasab), is a rugged region with an impressive natural beauty in particular the Hajar Mountains descending into the Arabian Sea. Make a trip in a traditional wooden dhow to discover the fishing villages and the cliffs of the Hajar Mountains. Most of the luxury cruise tour operators visit Khasab.

Many tour operators offer cruises that stop in Oman, starting from 15-day cruises. Fred Olsen Cruises offers a 19 day ‘fly and cruise’ from £999 per person and stops at Oman’s second largest city and busiest cruise port, Salalah (www.fredolsencruises.com). Visitors who want to see more of the Sultanate have the option to cruise more ports and see the variety of Oman’s different regions. Voyages of Discovery offers an 18 day cruise and will stop in Muscat, Sur and Salalah, from £1149 per person (www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk).

For more information, please visit the website www.omantourism.gov.om.