Oman offers a wealth of activities for every type of traveler, from adrenaline junkies to those seeking tranquility in nature. Adventure enthusiasts can embark on thrilling canyoneering expeditions or conquer the sandy dunes with exhilarating dune bashing. For water lovers, flyboarding and surfing provide an exciting way to engage with the ocean. To take in the stunning landscapes, a helicopter tour reveals breathtaking vistas from above. No visit is complete without experiencing the magical ambiance of a sunset cruise, making Oman a truly captivating destination.

Helicopter Tours

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Oman from the sky with a helicopter tour aboard the Airbus H125. This aerial adventure allows you to witness the country's diverse landscapes, including rugged mountains, vast deserts, and pristine coastlines, all from a unique vantage point.

Details

• Duration: The city tour lasts approximately 15 minutes, offering a quick yet comprehensive view of key attractions.
• Location: Tours typically depart from Muscat.
• Price: Approximately $150 per person for a 15-minute tour.
• Highlights: Fly over iconic landmarks such as the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts, and the stunning coastline of Muscat. This is the perfect way to capture unforgettable photographs and gain a new appreciation for Oman’s natural beauty.

Special Tips

• Book in Advance: Helicopter tours can fill up quickly, especially during peak tourist seasons (October to April).
• Early Mornings or Late Afternoons: Schedule your tour during these times for softer lighting and stunning views.

Flyboarding and Wakeboarding

Oman has made a name for itself in the world of water sports, with activities like flyboarding and wakeboarding attracting thrill-seekers from around the globe. These motorized sports offer an exhilarating experience on the water, combining the thrill of speed with the beauty of the ocean.

Details

• Location: Popular spots include Muscat and Salalah.
• Price: Around $100 for a 30-minute session.
• Safety: All activities are conducted by certified operators who prioritize safety, ensuring that participants have a secure and enjoyable experience.
• Experience: Flyboarding allows you to soar above the water, while wakeboarding combines surfing and snowboarding techniques, providing a unique blend of excitement and challenge.
• Variety: Operators offer a range of options, from short introductory sessions for beginners to more extensive courses designed for those looking to refine their skills.

Special Tips

• Wear Sunscreen: The sun can be intense, so make sure to apply sunscreen before heading out.
• Stay Hydrated: Bring water to stay hydrated during your activity.

Desert Adventures

The Wahiba Sands, stretching over 200 kilometers, is a striking desert landscape that offers unforgettable adventures. Visitors can explore this iconic environment through dune bashing, camel rides, and sandboarding, immersing themselves in the unique beauty of Oman’s desert ecosystem.

Details

• Location: About 3 hours from Muscat, near Bidiyah.
• Price: Desert safari packages range from $75 to $150 per person, depending on the inclusions (lunch, camel rides, etc.).
• Activities: Experience the thrill of dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle, or opt for a more traditional sunset camel ride, which allows you to take in the stunning desert scenery at a leisurely pace. For the adventurous, sandboarding or quad biking provides an adrenaline rush as you glide over the dunes.
• Wildlife: The desert is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including over 180 plant species and 200 animal species, making it a fascinating ecosystem to explore.
• Tour Details: Small-group excursions typically depart from Muscat or Bidiyah. Tours often include a traditional picnic lunch at a desert camp and a refreshing swim at Wadi Bani Khalid, a beautiful oasis with crystal-clear waters.

Special Tips

• Best Time to Visit: October to April offers cooler temperatures, making outdoor activities more comfortable.
• Pack Snacks: While many tours include meals, having some snacks on hand can be helpful during the day.

Sunrise Desert Yoga

Begin your day with a refreshing sunrise yoga session in the serene desert. This experience allows participants to connect with nature and find inner peace as they practice yoga amidst the tranquil desert landscape.

Details

• Location: Various desert locations, often arranged by local yoga studios or tour operators.
• Price: Approximately $40 to $60 per session.
• Duration: Sessions typically last 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Setting: Conducted in the serene environment of the desert, participants can enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature as the sun rises, creating a perfect backdrop for meditation and yoga practice.
• Classes: Various styles of yoga are offered, catering to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. This allows everyone to connect with their inner selves and the natural world around them.
• Experience: The sessions emphasize relaxation and mindfulness, encouraging participants to embrace the beauty of the moment as they breathe in the fresh desert air.

Special Tips

• Dress Comfortably: Wear loose, breathable clothing suitable for yoga.
• Arrive Early: Get to the location a bit early to enjoy the serene atmosphere and set up your space.

A Day in Paradise (Full Day Beach Pass)

The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa offers an exquisite retreat along a stunning bay, where deep turquoise waters meet majestic mountains. The ‘Day in Paradise’ escape promises a luxurious experience for all guests.

Details

• Location: Barr Al Jissah, Muscat.
• Price: Approximately $100 per person for a full-day pass, including lunch.
• Facilities: Enjoy access to six stunning swimming pools, two private golden-sand beaches, and a meandering lazy river perfect for relaxation. Water sports activities are also available for those looking to add a bit of adventure to their beach day.
• Amenities: Towels and bottled water are provided for your convenience, ensuring a comfortable visit. Guests can indulge in a lavish buffet lunch featuring a variety of dishes, including fresh seafood, international cuisines, and local specialties.
• Relaxation: The resort’s serene environment, combined with high-quality service, allows visitors to unwind and rejuvenate, making it a true day in paradise.

Special Tips

• Reservations: It’s advisable to book your day pass in advance, especially during weekends and holidays.
• Bring a Book: The tranquil environment is perfect for relaxation, so consider bringing a book for leisure time by the pool.

Additional Recommendations

Cultural Experiences

• Visit Nizwa Fort: Located about 1.5 hours from Muscat, this historical site offers insight into Oman's heritage. Entry is around $5.

Local Cuisine

• Try Shuwa: A traditional Omani dish made of marinated lamb, slow-cooked in an underground sand oven. Look for local restaurants offering this delicacy.

Souqs

• Explore Mutrah Souq: A vibrant market in Muscat where you can shop for spices, textiles, and handicrafts. Bargaining is common, so don’t hesitate to negotiate prices.

With so much to explore, Oman is a destination that promises a wealth of unforgettable experiences, whether you are seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deeper connection with nature.

Kuwait has officially approved the issuance of seven-day transit visas for select travelers entering the country via land, particularly through the Abdali border crossing, as part of its strategy to streamline border procedures and enhance regional mobility. The new visa policy, directed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, specifically targets Gulf citizens, expatriates residing in GCC countries, European nationals, and diplomatic personnel, especially those arriving from Iraq or transiting through Iran.

Colonel Waleed Al-Azmi, Director of the Abdali Border Crossing Administration, announced that the transit visa allows eligible non-residents to stay in Kuwait for up to seven days, enabling travel between Abdali Port and Kuwait International Airport, or vice versa, to organize onward journeys or complete necessary travel arrangements. The visa is not extendable and does not permit holders to work or study in Kuwait.

To apply, travelers must present a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed onward ticket, and proof of transit, such as accommodation details or supporting documents for their next destination. The visa application can be submitted through the Kuwait Port Authority, Kuwaiti consulates, or, for some nationalities, via an online portal. The processing fee is KWD 2 (about USD 6.50).

Diplomatic personnel and embassy representatives are also permitted to be present at the border to assist their nationals during the entry and exit process, ensuring smoother procedures and additional support. This move is coordinated between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with certain exceptions and special exemptions available for select nationalities.

The introduction of the 7-day transit visa reflects Kuwait’s broader efforts to facilitate cross-border movement, support regional connectivity, and maintain robust security and compliance at its borders

Thailand’s tourism sector is facing significant challenges as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict disrupts travel from key Middle Eastern markets. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warns that arrivals from five countries Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria could drop by as much as 50%, with early signs of decline already evident in popular destinations like Phuket due to airspace closures.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the TAT, explained that several major airlines flying to Thailand including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air, and SalamAir have rerouted flights to avoid conflict zones. Tehran-based Mahan Air has temporarily suspended its Bangkok and Phuket routes, causing the Iranian market to effectively vanish during this period.

These five countries represent about 7% of Middle Eastern visitors to Thailand, with the region (excluding Israel) accounting for 100,781 travelers in June 2024. The timing of the conflict coincides with the Eid al-Adha festival, a peak travel period that last year brought 7,165 tourists from these markets. This year, arrivals are expected to fall sharply to between 3,500 and 5,000 as tourists and airlines postpone trips amid uncertainty.

The TAT is also monitoring potential longer-term impacts on larger Middle Eastern markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, which together contribute 80% of Thailand’s Middle East tourism. Concerns over air travel safety could further dampen demand, affecting hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, which are popular with Middle Eastern visitors.

If the conflict is resolved soon, arrivals may begin to recover in July. Some airlines, including Royal Jordanian Airlines, plan to launch new routes, such as the Amman-Bangkok service starting in August. However, a full recovery depends on how long and severe the conflict’s effects prove to be.

The TAT aims to attract 1.06 million visitors from the Middle East in 2025, an 11% increase over last year, and generate approximately 86 billion baht in revenue. As the situation evolves, Thailand’s tourism industry remains cautiously optimistic but vigilant about the challenges ahead.

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has reiterated that fees paid for exit and re-entry visas are strictly non-refundable, even if the visa is canceled—a policy that has been reconfirmed as thousands of expatriates plan their summer travel. This clarification was issued following a public inquiry from a resident, to which Jawazat responded unequivocally: “If the exit and re-entry visa is cancelled, the fees are non-refundable”.

Under current regulations, a single exit and re-entry visa costs 200 Saudi riyals and is valid for up to two months, with an additional 100 riyals for each extra month, provided the resident’s permit (iqama) remains valid. For multiple exit and re-entry visas, the fee is 500 riyals for up to three months, and 200 riyals for each additional month.

Notably, for residents who are already outside the Kingdom and need to extend their visas, the extension fees are doubled—200 riyals per month for a single visa and 400 riyals per month for a multiple visa.

The process for issuing, canceling, or extending these visas is managed digitally through the Absher platform. To cancel a visa, users must log in, access “Services for Sponsors,” select the relevant individual, and confirm the cancellation; however, the fee remains non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Recent regulatory updates have also introduced higher fees for expatriates outside Saudi Arabia, including doubled extension charges and increased costs for renewing residency permits (Iqama) abroad. Penalties for not using or canceling a visa within the allowed time can be steep, starting at 1,000 riyals for the first offense and rising to 3,000 riyals for repeated violations. Overstaying outside Saudi Arabia after a visa expires incurs a fine of 100 USD per month.

These rules apply to all visa holders, including professionals, domestic workers, and dependents, and are part of broader changes to residency and travel regulations aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring compliance. Authorities urge residents to carefully plan their travel and visa applications, as changes or cancellations will not result in a refund of paid fees.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is showing promising signs of recovery, with a 33% year-on-year (YoY) increase in tourist arrivals during the first 10 days of June 2025. The island welcomed 43,962 visitors compared to 33,017 in the same period last year.

The daily average number of tourists also rose significantly, reaching 4,396 visitors per day, up from 3,302 during the first 10 days of June 2024. This uptick is encouraging, especially given that June is traditionally an off-season month for travel to Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) projects 177,257 arrivals for the entire month of June. However, industry stakeholders remain cautious due to a shortfall in arrivals during the first five months of 2025. From January to May, tourist arrivals missed projections by a cumulative 279,452 visitors, underscoring ongoing challenges in converting interest into actual visits despite improving macroeconomic conditions.

Between January 1 and June 10, 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed over 1.07 million tourists, marking a 16% increase compared to 927,196 visitors during the same period in 2024. Notably, arrivals in January, February, and May 2025 exceeded pre-pandemic levels seen in 2018, highlighting Sri Lanka’s renewed appeal as a travel destination.

Despite these positive trends, consistent growth remains elusive. A key hurdle has been the delay in launching a global tourism campaign, which has not been updated in 16 years. The much-anticipated ‘Nation Branding’ campaign, set to launch on June 26, is expected to boost Sri Lanka’s visibility in key markets and drive higher arrivals during the lucrative winter season.

In June 2025, India, the UK, and Bangladesh emerged as the top source markets, contributing 12,362, 3,740, and 2,717 tourists respectively. Year-to-date, India leads with 216,422 arrivals, followed by Russia (111,285) and the UK (100,014). These markets remain central to Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery strategy.

Sri Lanka aims to attract 3 million tourists and generate $5 billion in tourism revenue by the end of 2025. To meet this target, the industry needs to draw approximately 1.93 million visitors 64.2% of the annual goal during the remaining months of the year. So far, the sector has generated over $1.54 billion in revenue in the first five months, with $3.46 billion still needed to reach the target.

In 2024, Sri Lanka’s tourism revenue reached $3.16 billion, a substantial 53.2% increase from $2.07 billion in 2023, reflecting the sector’s strong recovery momentum.

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming Nation Branding campaign and further developments in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Starting July 1, 2025, residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holding valid residency permits will be able to enter Armenia without a visa, marking a significant expansion of Armenia’s visa-free travel policy. Previously, only UAE nationals enjoyed visa-free access, while expatriate residents had to obtain visas on arrival.

The new policy applies to residents with residency permits valid for at least six months and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, leisure, or business purposes.

This change is part of a broader Armenian government initiative to enhance tourism, investment, and economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. The policy also aligns with Armenia’s visa-free arrangements for residents of the European Union, the Schengen Area, and the United States.

The Armenian cabinet approved this reform in May 2025 to facilitate easier travel for expatriates living in these economically significant regions and to boost Armenia’s attractiveness as a destination for short-term visitors and business travelers.

Armenia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, combined with its rich cultural heritage—including UNESCO World Heritage monasteries like Geghard and Khor Virap—and natural attractions such as Lake Sevan and Dilijan National Park, makes it an appealing destination for UAE residents, particularly expatriates.

The country is accessible via direct flights from Dubai and other UAE cities through airlines such as flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air. Armenian tourism officials expect the visa-free entry for UAE residents to increase tourist arrivals, strengthen economic relations, and promote business engagements between Armenia and the GCC.

Lusine Gevorgyan, Chairperson of Armenia’s Tourism Committee, emphasized that this milestone reflects Armenia’s commitment to making the country more accessible to regional travelers seeking meaningful cultural and leisure experiences. The visa waiver is also expected to encourage more frequent travel and investment flows, with officials optimistic about a rise in direct flights and business cooperation.

In summary, from July 1, 2025, UAE residents with valid residency permits will benefit from visa-free entry to Armenia for up to 90 days, a move designed to enhance tourism, business, and bilateral relations between Armenia and the GCC region.