Come ...Oman awaits you !

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O M A N V I S I TO R S P O RTA L

Ahlan Wa Sahlanwww.omanvisitors.com2

Welcome toSultanate of Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is a country of enormous diversity, superb natural beauty, and authentic cultural heritage, which, while it has much to attract the discerning traveler, had until recent years been largely overlooked by international tourists. This unique and varied potential for tourism in the Sultanate created the need for a specialized website, which we have responded to by establishing the most comprehensive travel and tourism portal in Oman.

Oman Visitors Portal is a complete information source for Tourism / Travel / Investment in Oman. The portal consists of the following websites:

• OmanVisitorsPortal,themainwebsite,givesgeneralinformation about the Sultanate of Oman .• OmanTourismInvestmentPortal,focusesonanumberoftourism projects in Oman and helps visitors who may be looking for a future home in the country• OmanEatingGuide,isthefirstonlineguideofitskindinOman• SalalahVisitorsPortal,anewwebsite,highlightstourist attractions in Salalah, a popular and rapidly developing resort in the South of Oman.• MusandamVisitorsPortal,highlightstouristsattractionsin Musan dam.

The portal won the following awards:

• SilverAwardinthehospitalitywebsitescategory - Oman Web Award 2009.• GoldAwardforbesttravel&tourismwebsiteintheArab countries – an Arab Award 2009.• Besttravel&tourismwebsiteintheArabcountries - Pan Arab Award 2010.

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Marhab inOman Visitors Portalwww.omanvisitors.com

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Come to Oman...The Sultanate of Oman is gifted with its diverse natural attractions like breathtaking mountains, beautiful beaches and places of ancient monuments, attracting tourist interested in different kinds of tourist destinations.

Oman’s coastline with its multi-coloured sands extends from Musandam to Salalah for 1,700 km of clean and isolated beaches. These beaches are frequented by people during early morning hours or evening and are ideal for sunbathing and all forms of beach entertainment.

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T h i n g s To K n owCAPITAL: Muscat

AREA: 309, 500sq km, with 3,165 km of coastline

LOCATION:The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula and is located between Latitudes 16° 40’ and 26° 20’ North and Longitudes 51° 50’ and 59° 40’ East.

CLIMATE:The sultanate’s climate varies from one area to another. Generally, the coastal areas are hot and humid, whereas the weather in the south istemperate. The exception is the governate of Dhofar with its monsoon season, which lasts from June to October. The area is an ideal stopoverfor holiday-makers who plan to travel around the country.

TIME: GMT + 4 Hours

DRESS:Like all the Arab Counties, Arab Islamic culture dominates the style of life in the Sultanate. However, being an international market other cultures of various countries are widely visible. Both men and women are expected to dress conservatively in public places.

GEOGRAPHY:With an area of 309,500 sq. kms, the Sultanate of Oman is the second largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. The Sultanate is bordered by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on the west, the Republic of Yemen on the south; the Strait of Hormuz on the north and the Arabian Sea on the east.

CURRENCY:The currency of Oman is the Oman Rial (OMR), divided into 1,000 baisa. OMR 1 = US$ 2.6 at the current exchange rate.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:The official language of the country is Arabic. English is also widely spoken and understood by the business community.

RELIGION:Islam is the official religion while other faiths are also respected. VISAS:To find the update information visit: www.rop.gov.om

CLOTHING:Lightweight summer clothing in cottons blends is ideal for most of the year. Sweaters, a light jacket or a shawl may be needed for the cooler evenings. Oman is a Muslim country so its important to observe a certain dress code and behave sensitively.

GOVERNORATE OF MUSCAT

• JalaliFort• MiraniFort• GrandMosque• BandarJissah• MuscatGateHouse Museum• KalbouBeachPark• TheOmaniMuseum• BaitalZubair• TheOmaniFrench Museum

MUSANDAM GOVERNORATE

• BaitAl-Qufl• KhasabFort• JabalHarim• oldmosques• TheSouq• TheHarbour• KhawerSham• JaziratAlMaqlab• SeebiIsland• Kumzar• WadiRawdah & Rawadah Bowl• DabaFort• BukhaFort

GOVERNORATE OF DHOFAR

• MirbatFort• TaqahFort• SalalahMuseum• WadiDarbat• TeiqCave• KhourAlDahareez• KhourAlMaghseel• SadahFort• Al-BaleedArchaeologicalPark (Land of Frankincense)• Haffa(AlHusn)Souq

GOVERNORATE OF AL BURAIMI

• Al-HillahFort• Al-KhandaqFort• FalajAlMiser

T h e M aj o r S i g h ts

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O m a n A P ro m i s e o f M ag i c

THE DAKHILIYAH REGION

• NizwaFort• NizwaSouq• MasjidSultanQaboos• BahlaCastle• BaitAr-Radaidah• JabrinCastle• Al-HootaCave• FalajAlKhatmain• FalajAlMalaki• FalajDares• ThevillageofBirkat Al Mawz ( Banana Pools )• JabelAkhdar• WadiGhul&JabelShams

ASH-SHARQIYAH REGION

• Al-MuntaribFort• Qalhat• As-SunaisilahFort• RasAl-HaddFort• WadiShab• WadiTiwi• WadiBaniKhalid• JalanBaniBuHassanFort• MajlisAl-JinCave

AL BATINAH REGION

• NakhalCastle• Ar-RustaqCastle• Al-HazmFort• BaitAn-Nuaman• SoharCastle• SoharCastleMuseum• WadiAl-Hoqain• Ath-Thuwarah• WadiBaniAuf

AL WUSTA REGION

• CaveofAlRaki• Wadisof‘AilAlKhudra• AlMasakcave• BeachofAlShu’ir• RasMadrukabeach

A’DHAHIRA REGION

• IbriFort• WadiFida• BatTombs

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Muscat International Airport is located 40 km from Muscat and also serves domestic destinations. The are frequent direct flights from a number of European, Asian and African cities. There are also direct flightsfromDubaitoSalalah,andKhasab,thegatewaytoMusandam.

There are also excellent connection from all over the world with Gulf Air (viaAbuDhabi&Bahrain),QatarAirways(viaDoha)andEmirates(viaDubai). Many international airlines fly into Muscat include Lufthansa, Thi,BritishAirways,KuwaitAirways,SwissandEmirates.OmanAir,the flagship company of the Sultanate of Oman’s Civil Aviation sector, commenced operations in 1993.

G ett i n g to O m a n

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Culture: If you are someone who has an understanding and appreciation of history, arts, architecture and the intricacies of a civil society, Oman is the place for you. From the ancient city of Nizwa to the towns along the coast to the Capital to Salalah, all seeped in history, you can experience Oman’s sense of timelessness. The Sultanate enjoys an unspoiled culture and traditional lifestyle in almost every aspect.

Heritage: A legacy that has been passed on from generation to generation; the art, the culture, the folklore and the artistry has to be seen. But there is much more in the heart of Oman to explore: the sense of respect for time, for people, and for nature. Come and taste a part of Oman’s rich heritage, kept alive and uncganged for generations. It may help you understand tomorrow a little better.For its size, Oman boasts an unprecedented number of UNESCO-classified World Heritage Sites including Al-Blaid; site of the ancient city of Zafar, Bat—with its tombs dating back 3,000 years, Bahla Fort, and R’as Al-Hadd; home to the rare Green Sea Tturtle.

Culture & Heritage

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There is service.

And then there is world class hospitality.

For more information, call +968 2453 1111 or visit www.omanair.com

Fly the Oman Air Airbus A330 non-stop from Muscat to London, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Maldives and Colombo in absolute luxury. Take off to new heights of flying comfort on our new fleet of Airbus A330s. From industry-leading First Class Mini Suites to a large leather couch to sit back and relax in. From Business Class flatbeds with four abreast seating to unrivalled entertainment on state-of-the-art Thales i5000 Audio Video On-Demand System that is standard in every seat with live TV channels. Top that with wi-fi facility, laptop charging, SMS, phone and email access from your seat. Choose your favourites from the signature cuisine and enjoy delightful customer service that truly pampers you.

Experience flying that is simply a class apart on Oman Air, the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman.

There are airlines. And then there is Oman Air.

DESERT: Ash-Sharqiyah Sands (also known as Wahiba Sands) offer the romantic visitor desert in the accepted sense of the word. Rolling sand dunes, varying from deep red to a rich honey colour sands stretching as far as the eye can see.

WADIS: A wadi is a dried up riverbed found in the mountain valleys. Wadis come into their own after heavy rains, when the rivers start running again and the vegetation is restored. However, some wadis have year-round running water, with deep, cool pools in which it is quite safe toswimifthecurrentsareslowasinWadiBaniKhalid(A’Sharqiyah).

CAVES: There are many caverns in Oman and the country is home to one of the largest caves in the world recently discovered; Teyq Cave, which is 250 m in depth, 300 million m3 in size.

BEACHES:Withacoastlineof1,700Km,Omanofferssomeofthecleanest, most stunning beaches a visitor could hope to see. Weekend picnics and barbeques are popular on the beach. Many coves are perfect for snorkelling and with fairly gentle shelves, are good for children.

WILD LIFE: Oman has a surprisingly varied wildlife, both on land and in the surrounding waters. Strict laws have been established to ban hunting as a number of indigenous animals have now become endangered, such as the Arabian Leopard and the Arabian Oryx. Nature Reserves have been set up throughout the Sultanate to protect the natural habitats of mammals like the Leopard, Oryx, Gazelle, Taher, Ibex, Desert Foxes and Wild Cats.

N at u r a l Wo n d ers

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Shopping:Oman is unquestionably a great place for shopping as it blends the new and the old. The snazziest shopping malls stands alongside the wonderfully quaint traditional markets.Visitors can buy carved handmade daggers, rose-water sprinklers, coffee pots, incense burners, fragrant frankincense, rugsandsaddles.Women’sjewelryisperhapsthefinestexpression of the silversmiths’ art, ranging from kohl small silver boxes, to bracelets, earrings and rings, heavy anklets, and huge belts and necklaces. ModernShoppingMalls&Centres:Muscathasanumberofbustling modern shopping malls and complexes, mostly situated in Qurum Commercial area, and in Al-Khuwair facing the Governmentministries.

Traditional Souqs:The traditional Arabic market place is called the souq and these are found in many of the towns throughout Oman. Household items as well as traditional handcrafts are on sale in the souqs. In some souqs like Nizwa and Sinaw livestock are auctioned and bartered.Besideitsobviouseconomicpurpose,thesouqhaslongbeen the fulcrum of social interaction.

Muttrah Souq:Muttrah Souq is the oldest market place in the Capital Area and is located behind the Corniche of Muttrah, rumbling over a large area.EnteringtheSouq,youfeeltransportedintoanArabianNights fantasy, albeit a slightly modernised one. Frankincense, spices, dates and antiques jostle for the limelight with electronic products.

Shopping

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ENGLISH PHRASES ARABIC TRANSLATED PHRASES

Good Morning Sabah El kheerGood Evening Masaa El kheerWelcome MarhabanHowAreYou? KaifaHaloka/Haloki(female)I’m Fine, Thanks! Ana Bekhair, Shokran!AndYou? WaAnt?/WaAnti?(female)Thank You Shokran Good Bye Ma’a salamaExcuse me Lo TismaHI speak? Ana Atakallam ?I don’t speak Arabic Ma-Atakallam ArabiThere Hnak Zero SifrOne WaHidTwo IdhninFour Arba’aCoffee QahwaTea ShaaySorry AsefHow much is this Bikam Hatha?Congratulations MabrookWhite AbyadToday Al Youm

A r a b i c P h r as es

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Welcome to OMAN VISITORS PORTALwhere you take a first step into Oman

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