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The Sultanate’s ties to the seas go as back as the stories and legends of ancient pirates and sailors. The country was once a great trading port for the ancient world. Hence, it comes as no surprise that even today most avid travelers believe their exploration of the country is not truly complete without a traditional Dhow cruises. These typical Oman cruises can be embarked for a day, just to watch the sun set, or to see the wonderful marine life in the morning from various places including Muscat, Sur and Khasab. In fact the region of Sur is still known for its shipbuilding. While there are no old triangular lateen sails or heavy wooden rudder, the boat building industry survives thanks to the efforts of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the ruler of Oman to save the maritime heritage of the country.
Even if you have your heart set on having a ride in every type of Dhow that sails in Oman, it is unlikely that you may achieve this goal. There are in all 12 different types of Dhows made in the Sultanate. Their designs differ in accordance to their purpose. For example, some Dhows are designed for carrying heavy loads and people, and some are fishing boats, while some are used for transportation. Each design is unique, and a local citizen may be able to identify the purpose of the Dhow by merely seeing its design from far. These vessels are made using wood and rope or nails and are known to last for about 60 to a hundred years. Dhow building is a dying art, and while they are being built even today, these vessels may slowly disappear completely in the coming years despite the attempts of the government.
If you are opting for an evening or morning Dhow cruise in Muscat, chances are that you get to sail on a traditional type of Dhow called Al Boum. This type of Dhow was typically used to transport people and heavy goods from one place to another in the olden times. The vessel is made out of Omani wood known as Simr. There is a chance that the size of the boat may vary, but usually it seats about 50 people and weighs close to 46 tonnes. The seating arrangement onboard is traditional, which means there are traditional Omani carpets laid out with majilis seating and cushions for back comfort. The deck is decorated with such seating arrangement and ethnic lanterns.
Such Oman cruises aboard the Dhow take you around the stunning coastline. Some cruises make stops at secluded bays for snorkeling and swimming in the open sea. Taking a dhow ride in Oman can be a unforgettable experience even for the most avid traveler, and should be noted on your to-do-list for your visit.
Oman tourism has been on the increase at a fast and steady pace for the last few years. The governing authorities of the Sultanate have taken a special interest in showcasing the country’s beauty and grandeur for the world travelers who visit from all over the globe. The tourism industry is developing here and Oman is becoming one of the top tourism destinations in the Middle East. While one of the best ways to visit the country is by flying in and booking your various excursions beforehand through a travel agency, all the information you need about finding the ideal travel agency and the country can be researched on the Internet.
There are plenty of websites that provide up to date information about the different tours and facilities available in Oman for tourists. In view of the fact that the country is so wide-spread, it may be best to book different tours to explore its beauty to the fullest. In case you want to only book one elaborate tour that covers all the must-see attractions, the one to look out for is Discover Oman tour. This tour is widely provided by many reputed travel agencies from across the country, and is highly recommended by visitors. The tour starts from Muscat and visits all major sights and destination within the country. This includes Muscat city tour, hot springs of Nakhl, Jabrin Palace, Roundtower Fort, Wadi Bani Khalid, Wahiba Sands, desert overnight camping, Bibi Miriam’s tomb, Bimah Sinkhola, Quriyat, Sur, Sineslah fort, Khasab fort, Wadi Tawi, Musandam fjords, Sayh village, Khawr Al Najid, Birkhat Khalidiya Park, Salalah, Taqa, Khor Rori creek, Mirbat, Nabi Ayoub, Mughsail Beach, etc.
Oman is a place that houses diverse experiences in terms of nature, activities as well as culture, and this is the reason it is vital to know about the country and all that it offers before you pay a visit or book an excursion or tour. If we talk about Oman natural treasures, things that cannot be left out are the beautiful beaches, the reserves, amazing valleys, the Strait of Hormuz, textured mountains, caves, deserts, islands, water springs, lagoons, rock parks, canons, geo site, etc. On the other hand activities for locals and tourists include boating, scuba diving, mountain climbing, trekking, cycling, golfing, via ferrata, desert safaris, camping, caving, rock climbing, shopping, whale watching, turtle watching, dolphin watching, bird watching, exotic desert animal watching, horse racing, camel racing, off road driving, etc.
Oman tourism can also give you a clear insight into the Omani culture. Visiting traditional villages, world heritage sites, the various museums, souqs and archeological sites can be quite an amazing experience. And chances are you will instantly fall in love with its people, celebrated hospitality and above all beauty.
Oman is a land of dramatic natural beauty that has seen a terrific growth in tourism for the past few years. Always popular in the Middle East as a holiday destination, it has now proactively opened its doors to tourists from all over the world. With mountains, beaches, caves, fishing ports, deserts, wadis, and souqs; the country has finally tapped into its selling points for the travel map. The government of the country has taken special interest in increasing international exposure to assure the flow of foreign visitors. Hence, even the tour operators in Oman have geared themselves up to meet the ever increasing demands of the travelers.
The government of Oman has put in plenty of efforts to build the infrastructure and assure that the country is efficiently connected by air, road, and sea. With airlines offering various attractive promotional discounts on tickets, flying to Oman is a fairly inexpensive affair for any holidaymaker. It is well connected to all major travel destinations and countries by air. Even the hospitality industry here has flourished leaps and bounds. Most prominent hotel chains have their mark here, and are enjoying the high occupancy rate that the travelers and businessmen provide. The large number of tour operators here have also taken advantage of the growth in the sector and made the necessary changes to fit the bill.
Tour operators in Oman are the best guides to help you witness the loveliness of this vast land. You can rely on any of the tour operators in the country to provide different tours according to your interest. Since Oman has a lot to offer, you are sure to be spoilt for choice. With a blend of diverse geography, cultures and a wealth of history, the country has something of everyone. All you have to do is choose the kind of holiday you wish to embark on.
Tour operators in Oman are more than capable of designing a tailor-made holiday to satisfy your every desire. You could have an adventure holiday with a tour that covers water sports, desert safari, and rock climbing or trekking, or an eco holiday spent bird watching or whale and dolphin watching. You can ask your operator to design a special tour for you that covered all the heritage sites in Oman. Whatever you decide to do, surely you will find a great tour operator that can make your holiday a success. Choose a travel operator in Oman that is customer-focused, flexible and determined to make your trip very memorable.
Oman is flourishing under the banner of an international tourist destination. Not very popular a few decades ago, it has clearly made its mark on the markets in Australia and New Zealand alike with arrivals growing at around 13 percent per year. According to the tourism officials of Oman, the emphasis is now on tactical marketing, working closely the wholesale and retail partners, not only to increase awareness but also to motivate people to travel by putting appropriate packages in the tourist market place. Hence the spotlight is on tour operators in Oman to see how well they use the support of their government to their advantage and in turn make Oman a list-topper on the tourism world map.
 Infrastructure-wise Oman is all set for the flow of foreign tourists. Its fast-expanding portfolio of hotels and hotel apartments are drawing tourists from all over the world. Tour operators have self-designed packages to satisfy every type of traveler. From adventure getaways to quiet holidays, from wildlife excursions to scenic pleasure travel, every tour operator has the ideal target audience for every tour. All of the tour companies in the Sultanate are aware of the rules and regulations governing tourists and destinations such as wildlife observation and visits to protected areas. But only some tour operators are extremely well equipped to cater to almost any of the varied preferences.
 In Oman even the government organizations work hand in hand with tour operator to benefit the tourists. The Historical Association of Oman is a non-governmental organization that has a special interest in the natural history of the Sultanate. Birdwatchers can obtain information and copies of the Oman Bird List from the Oman Bird Records Committee. The Oman Natural History Museum houses superb displays wildlife found in Oman, marine fauna and flora and a separate and outstanding whale hall.
No matter what your interests are, you can be assured that you are in good hands with a government certified tour operator in Oman.
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