Surrounded by rugged mountains and gorgeous gorges, valleys and caves; deserts and beaches offering a plethora of adventure activities: the Sultanate of Oman is an excellent short-haul destination for Indians
With an understated richness everywhere and no unwarranted flamboyance at all, Oman is a destination where you breathe and smell luxury at ease. If Oman has to be explored, it must be through the beautiful cities and towns of Salalah – the greenest bit of land in Arabian peninsula and which is almost tropical in autumn. Many cities here are worth a look. Nizwa - the city of forts; Ibra – the gateway to Wahiba Sands; Bahla – an oasis town and home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Sohar - one of the legendary homes of Sindbad; Al Hoota caves; Wadi Bani Khalid valley, and Sur - where dhows are still made by hand.
The country offers a picturesque landscape, with carefully cultivated greenery and lakes amidst mountains everywhere and centuries-old lighthouses, forts and castles. In addition to this, the extremely hospitable people of the land especially with their affable behaviour towards Indians, excellent road connectivity and high standards of hospitality infrastructure even in smaller towns has positioned Oman as a top choice among niche Indian holiday-makers.
Oman has it all: hiking and trekking at Jebel Shams; kayaking with the coral reefs, whale watching, dolphin watching, sailing and jet-skiing in crystal turquoise waters of Gulf of Oman; snorkeling and scuba diving in Daymaniyat Islands; bird watching at Salalah; exploring history at Al Hoota caves; desert camping, dune bashing and quad biking at Sharqiyah Sands to mention a few. And if anyone wants a simple laid-back luxurious holiday, there are many beach resorts with excellent spa facilities among date and palm trees, overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
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Denne historien er fra January - February 2017-utgaven av India Outbound.
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La Mamounia is an oasis for travellers
In order to cement its foothold in the Indian market, Moroccan luxury resort La Mamounia, located in the picturesque town of Marrakech, recently organised a visit to Mumbai and Delhi, engaging with top-tier travel industry partners from India. General Manager Pierre Jochem tells India Outbound that the resort, which recently completed 100 years, is targetting the Indian visitors seeking to explore Morrocan art, culture and heritage, besides its captivating beauty.
Africa has come a long way as travel destination for Indians
The perception of Africa as a tourism destination has come a long way in India as travellers from India have gone beyond safaris to discover other elements that make travel to Africa attractive. The change is not just amongst Indian tourists, but destinations have also learnt more about their Indian clients and are taking steps to customise their offer to the Indian visitors, writes Alpa Jani, Founder, Ace Connect, a tourism marketing company.
ASCENIC RAIL TRIP ACROSS BALKANS
A rail journey through the Western Balkans, from Serbia's vibrant capital Belgrade to the culturally rich Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a more tranquil, scenic way to explore the region's breathtaking mountains, lakes and historical towns at a leisurely pace.
Shahnaz Husain's cool tips for skincare during travel
Celebrity beautician and hair care expert Shahnaz Husain tells India Outbound on her secrets for skin-care and hair-care while travelling.
Plovdiv: Timeless jewel in Bulgarian crown
With a history spanning over two millennia, Plovdiv is not only one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, but also a vibrant conduit linking Bulgaria's past and its present.
Navigating Natural Wonders of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
For us city dwellers, even the sound of a cuckoo might seem exotic. So now imagine discovering a vastness filled with shifting dunes and interlaced emerald lagoons.
Explore the Jewel of Southern Spain, Seville
Home to one of the largest historic centres of Europe and three world heritage sites, the stunning city of Seville, located by the picturesque Guadalquivir River in southern Spain, offers tourists an experience rich in history, culture, art, gastronomy and much more.
UPI IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A GAME CHANGER FOR INDIAN TRAVELLERS
Having revolutionised digital transactions in India, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now expanding globally. After tepid beginnings in the immediate neighbourhood, UPI is gaining acceptance in many countries making a win-win for Indian tourists and businesses overseas that are increasingly eager to tap the burgeoning Indian outbound travel market.
Debuting at COP29, can tourism lead march towards curbing carbon emissions?
Tourism will make its debut in global climate change negotiations in the next round of discussions, COP29, that opens in Baku later this month. So far, the discussions have spectacularly failed to produce any notable outcome, besides platitudes and numerous missed commitments. The global tourism industry has a golden opportunity to lead the way and show the world the true path to curbing carbon emissions. But the sector's own record in this aspect is hardly blemishless.
Bintan Island: SEESE
A haven of nature, with thriving flora and fauna, the Indonesian island of Bintan, that is barely an hour away from Singapore by ferry and comes with easy visa regimes, is an ideal extension for any Indian visitor to Singapore, looking to add a touch of wilderness to the experience.
