Friday 26 / April / 2024
With tickets to overseas locations selling out fast, many residents and citizens in Oman are preparing to enjoy all that the Sultanate can offer, during the upcoming Eid holidays.
The Omani government has announced official holidays from Sunday, August 19, to Thursday, August 23, meaning people can enjoy a nine-day mini-vacation before returning to work on August 26.
Travel agencies in Oman have had to deal with a flood of last-minute booking orders to places with cooler climates, sparking a flurry in airline bookings, just as hotels have brought out a series of special Eid offers to entice people to stay within the country.
“From the time the Eid holidays were officially announced, people started booking their vacations to take full advantage of this opportunity,” said Renny Johnson, CEO of Barakah Travel Management Company. “We are receiving holiday bookings to European countries and Far Eastern countries. Due to people travelling to their home countries, we also have last minute bookings to nations such as India, Lebanon, and Egypt.”
“People are eager to see their families during this long break, but due to the unavailability of air tickets to certain destinations, people are even opting to travel to Salalah to experience the Khareef season, as Salalah tourism has a lot to offer tourists and all the hotels in Salalah are fully booked now,” he added.
Across Oman, many hotels have advertised offers to encourage people to get away and leave their troubles behind for a few days. Up in the mountains of Jabal Akhdar, where it is at present raining every afternoon, booking staff are prepping themselves for a number of last-minute bookings.
“Even as I speak, the clouds are gathering over the resort, and we can expect it to rain very shortly,” said Firas Rashid, director of sales and marketing for Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhtar. “It rains without fail every afternoon here, and we can expect the same during Eid, because August is the rainy season up here in the mountains. We have people going to the gym at 1pm here, because it is just so cool now, and I am sure it won’t be long before we start getting calls.”
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Gautam Bose, acting general manager for Sohar Beach Hotel, added, “We are geared up for the Eid holidays and we are seeing a lot of bookings from the UAE and Oman. On the occasion of Eid, the hotel is pleased to offer special rates, starting from OMR35, including breakfast.”
Dr Mary Ann Roberta, director, marketing and development for Al Nahda Hotels and Resorts, said, “Al Nahda Hotels and Resorts was booked in anticipation of a long Eid Al Adha break by families and couples wanting to beat the unprecedented heat in the cool confines of the verdant green resort.”
“Activities for families and couples have been well planned, and our Waha bar ‘Live Band’ has arrived, to add to the festive mood. We are pleased that the majority of those living in Oman prefer to spend their long Eid Al Adha holidays in the country, exploring its exceptional beauty. Oman, as a ‘Destination of Culture & Beauty’, has arrived,” she said.
Although the traditional tourist season in Oman ranges from September to March, visitors from Oman, the GCC and beyond are flocking to the southern Dhofar Governorate, where the arrival of the Khareef season means temperatures have dropped to 24 degrees, accompanied by rain, cool winds and a lush green landscape.
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Rhoda Nuhu, assistant director of marketing and communications at Salalah Rotana, said, “We are offering our classic room at OMR95 a night. This is inclusive of breakfast. However, service charges and other taxes will be added to this figure. There has been a very good turnout this Khareef. Demand is high. Our events have been very popular. We also have activities for children, such as arts, crafts and a treasure hunt at the kids’ club. Barbecue nights also do well.”
James Hewitson, general manager for Al Baleed Resort by Anantara, said his resort was offering a 20 per cent discount, saying, “After the 20 per cent discount, a single night’s cost for a room at the hotel comes to OMR140. Guests get two free meals, breakfast and dinner. Also, the children eat for free.”
Over in Oman’s northern governorate of Musandam, Atana Musandam and Atana Khasab both have special rates over the Eid break, as an extension of their summer offers.
