Advertisers (1) Oman LNG LLC (2) PEIE (3) Elixir Holistic Centre (4) HYATT (5) Hilton Salalah (6) OMAN FIBER OPTIC CO. SAOG (7) Oman Tourism A Special International Report Prepared by The Washington Times Advertising Department Written by Ayan Ahmed Project Director Hala Nasreddine For more information, call The Washington Times International Advertising Department at (202) 636-3035 (202) 635-0103 fax e-mail: natlad@wt.infi.net Copyright © 2000 News World Communications, Inc.		Oman: The Hidden Jewel of the Arabian Peninsula Oman is one of the most attractive travel destinations in the Middle East, a country that combines luxurious comfort and safety amidst rugged mountains, panoramic beaches, and striking desertscapes. Oman is a marvelous symphony, harmonizing a great civilization and modern development. Oman is an attractive concept of tourism presenting culture, arts, heritage, nature, sports, adventure, entertainment and knowledge. It deserves to be discovered because of its magnificence. Oman is proud of its glorious past, present achievements and bright future. There is something for everyone in Oman. You can swim, scuba dive, go sailing or fishing, go camping in the mountains or on the beaches. You can watch bullfights (bloodless) or camel races or even ride a camel yourself. For the more adventurous, there is rock climbing or cave exploring, camping out in the rocky wadis or the magnificent dunes of the Wahiba Sands, or exploring wild offshore islands. There is golf, and all the major hotels have pools and tennis courts and can arrange for tours. Oman has a wealth of first class and luxury hotels and resorts, as well as a wide range of excellent restaurants offering Arabic and International cuisine. Travel agencies can arrange sightseeing tours of the cities and overnight trips to the interior, buses and car rental facilities are available throughout the country. Why is Oman the most attractive destination in the Middle East? Combines luxurious comfort and safety Combines natural beauty and a friendly people Combines a great civilization and modern development		Table of Contents (1) The backbone to Oman’s structural growth is Sultan Qaboos (2) Rapid growth continues into a new century (3) U.S. and Oman: An enduring relationship (4) A message from H.E. Ambassador Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al-Dhahab (5) US Ambassador John B. Craig comments on 200-year relationship (6) Why should the U.S. invest in Oman? (7) Coordination paves the way for diversification (8) National economy is moving toward growth (9) A potential successor speaks out briefly on foreign affairs (10) New port breaks into top 20 league (11) Promoting industrialization by giving it a boost (12) OFO seeks to be a global market leader (13) Al-Felaij Castle Theatre awakens cultural enlightenment (14) Y2K problem is not much of a threat (15) Historical Frankincense of Oman (16) LNG emerges as a major contributor to the national economy (17) OMAN AT A GLANCE (18) Omani women enjoy liberation as they hold to traditions (19) The Grand Hyatt Muscat: A youthful hotel possessing old heritage and millennium flare (20) Oman: The Hidden Jewel of the Arabian Peninsula (21) What Can Tourists See and Do in Oman?