Category: Oman News

Oman News and other noteworthy issues about the country

President Rouhani to visit Sultan Qaboos on Wednesday 15th February

Iran is rapidly become a key element in Oman’s economic and political future. On Wednesday 15th February 2017 Iranian President Rouhani will pay a brief visit to Sultan Qaboos in the morning before flying to Kuwait, which is the next chair of the GCC. Both Oman and Kuwait have important Shia Muslim populations, in Kuwait these are focused in business; my employer in Saudi whose family is Shia being perhaps the largest private company in Kuwait.

President Rouhani to visit Sultan Qaboos
President Rouhani to visit Sultan Qaboos

In Oman however Continue reading “President Rouhani to visit Sultan Qaboos on Wednesday 15th February”

Al Bustan Palace to have room closures during 2017

Oman’s Al Bustan Palace, though remaining open throughout 2017 will have restricted room bookings for 7 months. There will be limited number of rooms available from 1st March – 30th November 2017 and no room bookings at all between 1st May 30th September 2017.

Al Bustan Palace Announcement
Al Bustan Palace Announcement

This Oman government owned hotel last Continue reading “Al Bustan Palace to have room closures during 2017”

2017 Tour of Oman

Details of the 2017 Tour of Oman have been announced. The race from 14th-19th February will have 6 stages and 18 teams are expected to take part incl from USA, Bahrain & UAE; but not from UK (perhaps the lack of a race in Doha has impacted here) or surprisingly Oman.

While each stage has its appeal – the two stand outs are

Tour of Oman - Birkat Al Mawz
Tour of Oman – Birkat Al Mawz

Stage 5 that climbs Continue reading “2017 Tour of Oman”

Salam Air Oman launches Flights

Oman’s new airline Salam Air has launched. Its flights between Muscat & Salalah 2 times a day are operational with an A320, while planned flights between Muscat and Dubai are to come from mid February.

Salam Air Salalah
Salam Air Salalah

Future routes are planned into East Africa, where there is also a carrier with the same Arabic spelling طيران السلام ; presumably this will be resolved if Oman’s Salam Air does launch flights to Zanzibar.

Salam Air has tickets Continue reading “Salam Air Oman launches Flights”

Oman Budget 2017

The Oman government has published the Budget for 2017. Not unexpectedly, given the country’s reliance on oil, it shows a substantial deficit which is anticipated to be 28% of Government Revenue. The deficit during the remaining years of the government’s 5-year plan to 2020 is again projected to remain between 25-30% each year. The government is anticipating a rise in its expenditure from a projected Omani Rials (OMR) 11,165Billion in 2017 to (OMR) 14,100 in 2020.

Oman Budget 2017
Oman Budget 2017

This will partially be supported by a Continue reading “Oman Budget 2017”

Oman is joining the ‘Islamic Military Alliance Against Terrorism’

Reports in many media including separately by Reuters and Bloomberg say that Oman is joining the Saudi-led ‘Islamic alliance against terror’. This alliance is widely assumed a force lead by Saudi Arabia against Iran, despite any doubt suggested by its name.

Sayyid Badr 3rd Left Prince Salman 4th Right thanks to Getty
Sayyid Badr 3rd Left Prince Salman 4th Right thanks to Getty

The timing of the letter signed by Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib al-Busaidi, Continue reading “Oman is joining the ‘Islamic Military Alliance Against Terrorism’”

Saudi to Oman Road still to open

The Saudi to Oman Road opening has been planned for many years. In Oman’s north-west is the small town of Tanam, which was a small part of Oman’s Oil production leap. Its just about to feature again as the much talked about Saudi – Oman road seems about to open early 2017; Tanam is the last anything before the border.

Rub Al Khali Oman
Rub Al Khali Oman

I wrote in September 2015 that the road was ready to open Continue reading “Saudi to Oman Road still to open”

Travco ‘InterCity’ Hotel in Salalah

Travco, the Egyptian conglomerate which seems to operate under an integrated system looks as if it is focusing on Oman. The company has operated as a low profile tour operated company in Oman for a number of years with much of its business fed in from Dubai.

InterCity artists image
InterCity artists image

As an integrated operator it probably will try to operate in the entire field a client requires and certainly in Egypt as 50% partner in Air Arabia Egypt, various hotel brands Sol Y Mar, Jaz, Nile Cruise ships & ground operator the model worked well, until the down turn in tourism.

The focus in Oman should be a surefooted one, having operated as a tour company in the country since 2006. They intend to open a new ‘InterCity’ Hotel in Salalah. The hotel will be a town based hotel in the main commercial office area which will give it good access to much of the town and region. This will be the first intercity hotel outside Europe, where Travco also own a number of other chains, and suggests that they feel Oman will offer a good alternative to Egypt, as do Orascom who set up Muriya in Oman a few years ago.

Oman Saudi Road near opening

possibly as early as October

The announced Oman Road to Saudi opening will create the 1st direct tarmac road linkage between Oman and Saudi Arabia, despite the border between the two countries being some 700 kilometres long. This is all about to change with the Oman Road to Saudi opening south-east of the international border intersection between Oman, Saudi & the UAE.

Rub Al Khali
Rub Al Khali / Empty Quarter

The Oman section runs from Continue reading “Oman Saudi Road near opening”