Oman Travel Overview

GENERAL

Official name of the state

Sultanate of Oman.

Capital

Nutmeg.

Geography

According to a2zgov, Oman borders the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen to the west. The Musandam Peninsula is a coastal enclave in the Strait of Hormuz and borders the United Arab Emirates; from here the Al-Hajar Mountains run in a south-easterly direction. The 2700 km long coastline extends from the Gulf of Oman to the Arabian Sea. In the north-west lies the narrow fertile plain of the Batinah coast, which is bordered by the Oman Mountains with the highest mountain Djebel Akhdar. The southern province of Dhofar is separated from the north by a desert, with the Kuria-Muria Islands in front of the coast. The Karaberge rise behind the coastal plain.

Government

Sultanate. 1996 Constitution, Islamic Law (Sharia). Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura) with 84 members since 2003, State Council (Majlis al-Dawla) with 84 members since 1997. The Sultan’s family has been in power since the 18th century. In 1991 the absolutist ruling Sultan Quabus Bin Said allowed an advisory assembly at government level for the first time, although this has no legislative function.

Head of state

Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, since 1970.

Head of government

Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, since 1970.

Electricity

240 V, 50 Hz; Adapter recommended.

Time zone

Gulf Standard Time: CET +5

Oman Travel Overview

MONEY

Currency

1 Omani rial = 1000 baiza. Currency abbreviation: OR, OMR (ISO code). There are banknotes in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 1 and 1/2 OR as well as 200 and 100 Baiza; Coins in denominations of 50, 25, 10 and 5 Baiza. The Omani rial is pegged to the US dollar.

Credit cards

All international credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, Amexco, Diners Club and sometimes American Express are accepted by all international hotels and banks. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.

ATMs

ec / Maestro card / Sparcard

Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in Oman at the ATMs of the branches of the Oman National Bank, but not in shops. Further information from banks and credit institutes.

Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.

Bank opening times

Sun-Thu 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Foreign exchange regulations

The import and export of the local currency is unlimited. Unrestricted import of foreign currencies; Declaration obligation. The export of foreign currencies is limited to the amount declared upon entry.
The importation of Israeli national currency is prohibited.

Currency Exchange

It is recommended to bring US dollars in cash. In remote areas, however, you should bring enough cash in local currency with you, as the exchange options are limited there.

LANGUAGE

Overview

The official language is Arabic. Persian and Urdu are partly colloquial languages. English is the language of business.

 

DUTY-FREE SHOPPING

Overview

The following items can be imported into Oman duty-free:

400 cigarettes (people aged 21 and over);
1 bottle of alcoholic beverages (only non-Muslims from 21 years) *;
100 ml perfume for personal use.
[*] Failure to comply will result in a penalty and confiscation of the goods.

Import regulations

A special permit is required for the import of weapons, but this is seldom granted in practice (see import ban). For the import of painkillers, antidepressants and psychotropic drugs a multilingual medical certificate must be carried.

Prohibited imports

Perishable foods, pork products, more than 2 liters of alcohol, all kinds of dates, pornographic materials, bees, all kinds of weapons and ammunition.

ECONOMY

Business etiquette

English is often spoken in business circles, but every host is happy when the guest speaks a few words in Arabic. Appointments must be made in advance, and punctuality is becoming increasingly important in business circles.

Opening hours

Business hours: Sun-Thu 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-5 p.m. Office hours: Sun-Thu 8 a.m.-2 p.m. All shops are closed on Fridays.

Economy

Trade and Culture Department of the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman
Clayallee 82, D-14125 Berlin
Tel: (030) 84 41 69 70.

Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Lobkowitzplatz 1, A-1015 Vienna
Tel: (01) 513 39 65.
Internet: www. aacc.at

Ministry of Commerce and Industry
PO box 550, OM-113 Muscat
Tel: 771 42 30
Internet: www.mocioman.gov.om

Oman chamber of Commerce and Industry (chamber of Commerce)
PO box 1400, 112 Ruwi
Tel: 70 76 74.
Internet: www.omanchamber.com

German Business Center
Shatti Al Qurum, Building 3927, Way 3048, OM-Muscat

Business contacts

Trade and Culture Department of the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman
Clayallee 82, D-14125 Berlin
Tel: (030) 84 41 69 70.

Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Lobkowitzplatz 1, A-1015 Vienna
Tel: (01) 513 39 65.
Internet: www. aacc.at

Ministry of Commerce and Industry
PO box 550, OM-113 Muscat
Tel: 771 42 30
Internet: www.mocioman.gov.om

Oman chamber of Commerce and Industry (chamber of Commerce)
PO box 1400, 112 Ruwi
Tel: 70 76 74.
Internet: www.omanchamber.com

German Business Center
Shatti Al Qurum, Building 3927, Way 3048, OM-Muscat

 

SHOP

Overview

Silver and gold jewelry, khanjars (Omani daggers), hand-woven textiles, carpets and baskets. Shop opening times: Sat-Thu 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Souks are open 08:00 to 11:00 and 16.00-24.00 pm (during Ramadan to 01.00). Many shops are closed on Fridays, and during Ramadan the shops open an hour later.

NIGHTLIFE

Introduction

There are night clubs in the hotels of Muscat. There are several cinemas in Muscat and the Greater Muscat area. Arab, Indian, American and rarely English films are shown.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

There are more and more modern and luxurious hotels, especially in Muscat. While Muscat has the highest hotel density, many other cities offer only a small number of hotels. Smaller hotels are cheaper, but facilities are limited. There are only a few hotels in rural regions. Advance booking is strongly recommended. Service charges are usually added to hotel bills. The amount differs from hotel to hotel.

CULTURE

Religion

Islam is the state religion; Ibadi Muslims as well as Sunni minorities; 15% Hindus.

Social rules of conduct

You shake hands in greeting. A small company gift or a present from the home country is gladly accepted. Women should avoid clothing that is too casual. One should not wear shorts in public.

Smoking in public is considered rude and it is prohibited during Ramadan.

Tip: A service fee of 15% is usually included in the restaurant and hotel bills. If you are satisfied with the service, it is customary to leave an additional tip.

CLIMATE

Best travel time

In June and July it is particularly hot, up to extreme heat (up to 57 ° C) inland. The amount of precipitation varies from region to region; in Salalah there are light monsoon rains between June and September. The best time to travel is from October to March.

COUNTRY DATA

Area code +968 Area (sqkm) 309500 Population 3286936 Population density (per sqkm) 11 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 999