B ordered by the Indian Ocean, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, Oman has for centuries been one of the Gulf region’ s most important trading points. With surprisingly varied landscape ranging from jagged mountains, vast desert and tropical greenery, it is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Middle East. While the desert makes up most of western Oman, the country’ s standout feature is its impressive mountains. They form a physical backbone, emerging out of the sand in the west and dropping sharply towards the sea in the north and the east. The capital city, Muscat, sits on the north coast with the Tropic of Cancer running straight through it. While the city is not short on luxury hotels and meeting venues, it represents only a |
snippet of what else Oman has to offer. Oman was a prosperous and important player in the Middle East for centuries, but the country we know today began to take shape in the early 20th Century. The defi ning moment in Oman’ s history came in 1967, when oil was fi rst exported, transforming the country into a vibrant and appealing destination. The Sultan continued to modernise Oman throughout the 1970s in what became known as the‘ Omani Renaissance’. In 1971 Oman joined the Arab League and the United Nations. Between 1970 and 2013 life expectancy in Oman greatly increased and women were granted the vote for the fi rst time in 2003. Today, as global economics change, Oman is constantly |
evolving as a diverse nation, branching out into many different industries beyond raw materials. One of the key areas for growth in recent years has been the dramatic increase in meetings, conferences, incentives and exhibitions business heading to the country. Responding to the growing demand for events business, the government has invested heavily in developing infrastructure and facilities. The opening of the Oman Exhibition & Convention Centre and the construction of several new hotels, complete with meetings facilities, underline this investment. Business visits can be complemented with a raft of exciting activities which not only aim to inspire, but provide a memorable experience of what this beautiful country has to offer. |
Images above, top to bottom: From camel treks to 4x4 driving, |