New airports encourage holidays to Oman

Six new airports are being built in the Gulf state of Oman, which is tipped as one of the holiday hotspots for 2008.

The new airports are being built in the southern towns of Adam, Haima and Shaleem. “This will help the tourism sector,” said government minister Darwish Al-Balushi at a press conference. New airports at Al Duqm, Ras Al Had and Sohar were announced last year. A new seaport is also being developed at Al Duqm.

Oman is also expanding its international airport in Muscat. Tenders for a new runway at Muscat airport will be invited in the first half of 2008, while there will be another tender for new terminal buildings later in the year. Oman Air is launching a new direct service from Gatwick to Muscat this year.

Oman has been tipped by many travel experts as a holiday hotspot for 2008 and beyond. The Sunday Telegraph recently named Oman as one of ‘The Top Dozen Desirable Destinations’, describing it as “Less crowded and more stylish than Dubai”.

“The destination which has done most to give tourism a good name in the Middle East is undoubtedly Oman,” says The Sunday Telegraph. A new luxury resort and spa, the Evason Hideaway & Six Senses, is opening at Zighy Bay in Oman in March.

As well as seaside resorts and spas, there is also plenty for lovers of the outdoors to do in Oman. Popular tourist activities include scuba diving, rock climbing, trekking, turtle watching, horse riding, sailing, and game fishing. Camel racing and bull fighting are also popular in Oman, although in Oman unlike in Spain two bulls of the same size are pitted against each other.

Written by: Nick Purdom

 

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