New website welcomes Aussies to explore Oman

Posted on Thursday 07 June 2012 in Adventure, Luxury, Summer

Aussies who take trips abroad tend to venture within continents like Europe and North America, but officials from the Oman tourism board are suggesting an alternative holiday. This Mideast destination hopes to entice Australian travellers by suggesting the try a stop over to Oman on their vacation, which can provide guests with an exotic and unique travel experience.

Recently, the Tourism Oman organisation launched a website geared specifically toward Aussie and Kiwi tourists who may take a holiday abroad and are looking to explore a locale in the Middle East. While places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are popular among this demographic of travellers, officials from the tourism board for Oman say their country is just as viable for sightseeing and exploring a new country on holiday.

The website, called SideTripOfALifetime.com, encourages Aussies to watch video clips of Oman as they depict driving along scenic roadways, staying at lavish resorts or visiting elegant mosques. Individuals who go to the website can choose what order they wish to see clips, catering to the explorative mind that may consider a future getaway in this area of the world. The videos are all under two minutes, so guests can spend time looking at an array of different things to get a true feel for the atmosphere of the region.

"Videos are made to show exactly what you’ll see if you were in Oman," said Mona Tannous, the manager of Tourism Oman's Australia and New Zealand department.
Over the next year, Tourism Oman have made a commitment to invest in this website, as they plan to advertise it through social media outlets and television advertisement campaigns.

While Oman is an interesting destination in itself, travel representatives are promoting the country as an option for a layover on the way to Europe, or as an additive to a longer holiday abroad. Given that flights to London or other major European hubs often have stopovers from Australia, officials in Oman encourage Aussies to consider rerouting their flights to stop in the country for a few days of exploration and holidaymaking.

Experiencing the sights and sounds of Oman

When Aussies venture to Oman, they will be rewarded with countless things to see and do that celebrate the country's history of nautical pursuits, cultural expression and preservation of their natural landscapes.

One favourite pastime Omani locals have in common with Aussies is football. The Oman team will be playing Australia this month for the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifying games, which will take place Down Under. Travellers can catch some matches while in Oman at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, which is the home stadium for the national team. While at the facility, Aussies can also have a swim in the Olympic-size pool or try out some tennis at the courts onsite.

For an authentic experience at a Mideast marketplace, Aussies can use their time in Oman to check out the Mutrah Souq. This bazaar carried dozens of vendors hawking an array of wares, ranging from produce and spices to antiques and textiles.

Fortresses in the city of Muscat are impressive to witness, as they play a significant role in the county's history and stand as icons of the area's culture. Both the Al-Jalali and Al-Mirani forts were constructed at the same time in the 1500s to protect militants and civilians from Portuguese invasion. Guests can now visit these structures to snap pictures of the exterior and enjoy views of the surrounding waterfront.

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