Cruise paradise of Oman

Cruise paradise of Oman

‘Friede sei mit euch,’ Abdullah Subah warmly greets visitors in German, a departure from his native Arabic language’s customary ‘Asalam Malaikum.’ As a local tour operator in Salalah, he effortlessly converses with German-speaking tourists, offering them an exceptional experience, especially for cruise passengers disembarking in Dhofar Governorate.Abdullah explains that Salalah has invested significantly in upgrading its cruise facilities, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey for those exploring the governorate by sea.

Tourists pose at a Salalah at a roadside banana shop

“The country has made substantial investments in enhancing its cruise tourism infrastructure, marked by the development of modern ports and state-of-the-art facilities capable of accommodating large cruise ships,” he says.He emphasises the government’s initiatives to foster tourism, with a specific focus on cruise tourism. These efforts include streamlining visa procedures, improving transport, promoting local attractions and establishing Salalah as a sought-after cruise destination.Corinna Hartmann, a long-time cruise trip traveler-cum-organiser from the northern German town of Quedlinburg, mentions that, “Cruise trips are more popular with Germans than ever before. We now see large numbers of passengers, including more young families. We are excited to showcase Salalah’s beauty, offering a diverse range of attractions from the mountains to the sea and