A Sultan's Tale: Russians have started to choose Oman more often for their vacations

Over the past year, the tourist flow from Russia to Oman has been growing by 25%, and the number of Russian tourists visiting the sultanate is estimated at 70 thousand people. The Russian diplomatic mission in Oman told Izvestia. The embassy added that the countries are working on signing an agreement on the introduction of visa-free regime. At the same time, a high level of political dialog is maintained. Why Muscat refused to join the anti-Russian sanctions and how much a ticket to the country - in the material "Izvestia".

Oman's popularity among Russian tourists is growing

In 2024, Oman became one of the discoveries for Russian travelers. According to the Russian Embassy, the tourist flow from Russia may exceed last year's figure by 25% - the number of tourists may reach 70 thousand people.

- In recent years, there has been an increase in cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman in the field of culture and tourism. Currently, there is a noticeable increase in the flow of tourists from Russia. According to preliminary estimates, their number is expected to reach 70 thousand people by the end of 2024," Alexander Osadchiy, acting press attaché of the diplomatic mission, told Izvestia, adding that 53 thousand Russian citizens visited the monarchy in 2023.

The countries are now working to simplify the visa regime.

- On the agenda is the preparation of an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements for citizens of the Russian Federation and citizens of the Sultanate of Oman. Work in this direction continues. Both sides promote the development of tourist exchanges, - noted the diplomatic mission.

Now Russian citizens can stay in Oman for 14 days without obtaining a visa. A 30-day tourist visa can be issued at Muscat airport.

The growing interest in Oman is due to its popularization as an exotic and safe destination with rich cultural and natural attractions. Ramlat al-Wahiba desert, Musandam fjords, ancient forts and unique traditions attract lovers of unusual travel.

The Russian Embassy also noted the constant interest of Omani citizens in Russia. Mainly subjects of the sultanate visit Moscow and St. Petersburg, the popularity of Kazan, Sochi and other Russian cities is growing.

- Against this background, in the near future we can hope for the opening of airline flights not only to Moscow, but also to other regions of Russia, - said Alexander Osadchy.

On November 5, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation reported that the Omani airline Oman Air resumed direct flights to Russia. The cost of a one-way flight on the eve of the New Year holidays reached about 75 thousand, while on normal days the price of a flight is about 30 thousand.

To attract Russians, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman on October 1, 2024 opened a tourist office in Russia with offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

- Now Omanis are actively developing tourism, this makes the country attractive to Russia. Although this tourism is not for mass consumers, it is still quite exclusive travel. Nevertheless, this destination is also interesting for beach tourism, there is a large number of monuments, after all, this is a country with a very ancient history," Elena Melkumyan, a leading researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Izvestia.

Russian-Omani relations

Russia and Oman are strengthening their cooperation amid growing geopolitical challenges. In recent years, the dialog between the countries has gained new momentum, covering political, economic and cultural spheres.

One of the key areas of interaction has been the expansion of political ties.

- The Embassy promotes further strengthening of interaction between the foreign ministries of the two countries, including regular meetings of foreign ministers and their deputies," the Russian diplomatic mission noted.

Oman pursues a pragmatic and balanced course in the international arena. Despite pressure from the West, Muscat continues to take an equidistant position in the context of the situation in Ukraine, trying not to apply measures that could harm relations with Moscow. For example, Oman abstained from voting on the resolutions "Suspension of the Russian Federation's membership in the UN Human Rights Council" (April 2022) and "Ensuring reparations and reparations for aggression against Ukraine" (October 2022).

- "Omani-Russian relations are shaped by political and economic windows of opportunity and key issues in the Arab region, especially after the sultanate proved its importance regionally and internationally," Omani political analyst Khamis Al-Quteiti told Izvestia.

According to him, as a result of bilateral contacts, including the visit of Omani Crown Prince Ziyazan bin Haysam Al Said to Moscow, the countries have managed to expand economic and political horizons for cooperation.

The two countries are working on promising projects, including in the fuel and energy complex, transportation and infrastructure. Ties are also being promoted in the cultural and humanitarian spheres. The practice of organizing tours of Russian creative groups in the Sultanate has proved itself well. Next year Moscow and Muscat will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

- In the context of this significant event, a large-scale project "Russian Seasons" in Oman is planned for 2025. This involves a series of spectacular events involving the Mariinsky Theatre under the baton of maestro Valery Gergiev, the Vaganova Ballet Academy under Nikolai Tsitsy. The Russian embassy told Izvestia that the Kremlin Museums, the State Hermitage Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery will participate in a series of spectacular events with the participation of the Mariinsky Theater under the direction of maestro Valery Gergiev.

Russia has a high level of relations with Oman. Muscat does not participate in anti-Russian sanctions, adheres to a balanced position, says Elena Melkumyan.

- There is no doubt that Sultan of Oman Haysam bin Tariq Al Said will visit Russia in the future, which will be able to promote Russian-Omani relations and establish important partnership agreements at the economic level," said Khamis Al Qutaiti.

The countries are set to jointly coordinate on regional and international issues, which will contribute to the development of Russian-Omani relations, the expert said. According to the results of 2023, the volume of mutual trade between the countries increased by 60% and exceeded $400 million.

The range of possible areas of cooperation between Russia and Oman is quite extensive. With the exception of tourism, trade, logistics and scientific and technical cooperation are promising areas. The favorable geographical location of the sultanate can make it an important element of the North-South project. In addition, Oman can become another entry point for Russian business circles to the markets of the Arabian monarchies.