OMAN
A playground for adventure-seekers
As a holiday destination, the Sultanate of Oman is different things to different visitors
By Lesley Connor Joseph
ntil about a decade ago, a holiday in Oman
was a little more than a sightseeing tour of
stunning landscapes, idyllic locales high in the
mountains and deep within dry river beds called
wadis, or simply soaking in the winter sun on
enchanting sandy shores overlooking the crystal
waters of the Sea of Oman or Arabian Sea.
ast forward to the present day, and Oman
ranks among the Top
must-visit destinations
of the world, offering on the one hand, an
unrivalled Arabian experience, and on the other,
all of the sophistication of a high-end holiday
retreat.
ndeed, as a holiday destination, the Sultanate
of Oman is different things to different visitors.
eyond its rich repertoire of archaeological,
historical, natural and cultural attractions that
have beckoned throngs of discerning visits to its
shores every year, the country’s rugged appeal
is driving the growth of a new range of holidays
targeted at adventure and thrill-seekers. The list
includes mountain-biking, trekking, splelunking,
mountain-climbing, enduring racing, wind-
surfing, parasailing and paragliding, and more
lately, cross-country adventure hiking as well.
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More themed activities are being progressively
added to this list.
We look at some of the important activities,
initiatives and opportunities that are shaping
the growth of adventure tourism in the
Sultanate