No effort is being spared to simplify visa procedures in Oman to attract tourists from all over the world, a high-ranking police official was quoted as saying by the Gulf News Saturday.
"The Royal Oman Police is always ready to take new measures to promote tourism,” said Lt Gen Hilal bin Khalid Al Maawali, inspector general of police and customs.
The number of tourist visas issued last year had risen to 136,105 from 108,860 in 1999, said the official.
GCC residents are now permitted to enter Oman without sponsors. Permits can be obtained from Oman's embassies abroad or directly at air or border checkpoints on arrival, said the paper.
Initially, this type of visa was granted to residents of certain nationalities having at least one year of stay in a GCC state.
"The condition of nationality and period of residence have been waived," said Maawali.
Also available on arrival, he pointed out, is a special type of a 14-day-renewable visa for tourists from specified countries for a fee of $20.
Travelers wishing to stop at the Sultanate are given a 72-hour transit visa sponsored by the airline.
Tourists arriving by sea are now permitted to enter the ports of Sohar, Sur and Musandam. Such a facility was confined to Mina Sultan Qaboos and Salalah Port, the paper added –Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
