Category: Oman

Snapshots of my life & visits to Oman. Oman’s built history stretches back 5,000 years, its one of the Arab world’s most enduring cultures. Today its a modern economy with a hospitable population.

New Leisure Projects in Oman Omagine near the Airport Muscat

Just west of Muscat Airport is the project owned by Omagine Inc (OMAG.PK) which is partially owned by its Chairman Frank J Drohan, Omagine and Oman Government entity Royal Court Affairs (RCA); this is just under 1 sq km. It has, they say, received finance approval earlier in 2016. This project has been under process since 2007 (opens as PDF) according to their website, when a partnership was formed with J&P Construction. Amongst their Directors is Alan M Matus, who apparently was a director with USA Presidential candidate and reality TV personality Donald Trump.

A similar substantial project in Barka west of Muscat, previously called  ‘Blue City’ is now slightly smaller as its owner since the end of 2015, Muscat Finance Corporation, has provided 1.5sqkm of the 32sq km plot to “Muscat National Development & Investment Company” (ASAAS) . The land will be a sea front entertainment and leisure destination,

For Illustrative Purposes Only
For Illustrative Purposes Only

part of Oman’s thrust towards Continue reading “New Leisure Projects in Oman Omagine near the Airport Muscat“

12 Days of Christmas in Oman Day Two

On the second day of Christmas in Oman, what better thing to do than start organising your gifts for those back home. Gold is always special and here is something very different

Gold & Silver Bracelet Mutrah
Gold & Silver Bracelet Mutrah

Gold & Silver Bracelets Mutrah. Silver was the traditional Continue reading “12 Days of Christmas in Oman Day Two”

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”

Oman’s cultural tourism

Writing the revision for the Bradt Guide to Oman I needed not only focus on finishing the text & maps but also change my view point of Oman’s tourism.

Learning about Beekeeping
Learning about Beekeeping

Previously, while working in Oman’s tourism, organising a visit Continue reading “Oman’s cultural tourism”

Royal Opera House Muscat

In 2001, Sultan Qaboos set up the project, initially called ‘House of Musical Arts’; subsequently, the name ‘Royal Opera House Muscat ‘ was used, and design started in 2003.

Royal Opera House under construction 2010 - Muscat
Royal Opera House under construction 2010 – Muscat

The opera house was opened on October 12, 2011 by Continue reading “Royal Opera House Muscat”

Aflaj and Leopards in Oman

The Royal Geographical Society held a couple of events mid-week; the Shackleton photography exhibition and talks about Leopards in Oman and the Sultanate’s Aflaj (the plural of Falaj) organised by Nigel Winser.

Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society

With a large crowd , including several Continue reading “Aflaj and Leopards in Oman”

Oman’s Language

Oman’s Language is a complicated subject as the country although officially an Arabic language state does have several other native languages. Complicating things, even more, is the importance of non-native languages.

Arabic is Oman’s official language and is taught in government schools. It is a Semitic language and does have similarity to other Semitic languages such as Hebrew & Maltese.

Oman Languages
Oman Languages

Written Arabic, as Continue reading “Oman’s Language”

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.