A near normal Eid holiday after two years of hiatus has proved to be a big boon to Oman tourism as people flew in from GCC countries and beyond to spend the long holidays with their kith and kin, it is learnt.
While many used Oman's international air gateway to reach the country, border check posts reported long queues of vehicles which lasted overnight and the weekend seems to be even more abuzz with visitors opting Oman as their holiday destination.
"Land borders of Buraimi and Mahdha were packed with vehicles round the clock with cars bearing number plates from neighbouring countries. Business near the borders was overwhelming," said Abdul Naseer, a restaurateur near the border.
These holiday makers from across the region and beyond visited the various tourist attractions of the Sultanate of Oman marking a major rise in the number of tourists during the last weekend, according to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
"Such a phenomenon is majorly due to the fact that holidays were announced well in advance, which has contributed to tourism," Renee Johnson, a tourism expert said.
Hotels, flats and tourist offices in various wilayats reported bookings well in advance ever since the holidays were announced a week ago.
These yearning visitors keen in the geographical diversity of the country who uncashed on the public holidays thronged to popular spots crowding many of the places over the holidays. Desert tourism saw an unprecedented crowd who camped overnight tasting a slice of Oman's traditional lifestyle.
"We received an exponential number of domestic tourists to our popular destinations which is evident from the feedback from various tourist offices in different governorates", said Mohammed Saif al Riyami, Director of the International Office at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
Out of the various governorates, regions and wilayats they frequented included Al Batinah, Sinaw, Nizwa, Ibra, Al Buraimi, Wadi Shab, Wadi Bani Khalid, Ruwi, Sur, Al Ashkara, Al Sharqiyah and the like which reported hotels and flats were fully booked.
"My relatives and extended family members, friends visited us during the holidays and we visited most of the tourism attractions in Dhofar Governorate," Lijihas, one who runs an event management company, said.
Tourists who visited Oman made it to the beaches, mountains, natural attractions, traditional markets, turtle beach, parks, and souls that offered a package of diverse experiences.
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