Hilltop Nakhal Fort attracts tourists

Nakhal Fort is the first tourist spot on the way to the wilayat of Nakhal. This fort can be observed from far away due to its location on a 70-metre hill.
Nakhal Fort is unique for its high position, solid building and huge exterior. The fort also includes number of towers, particularly the Eastern Tower which is also called the Wind Tower, the Middle Tower and the Western Tower. Two water wells are also available in this prestigious fort.
Nakhal Fort was built before the Islamic era and was rebuilt by Imam Al Sult Bin Malek Al Kharousi. It was rebuilt in many stages and the final one was in 1990 after which tourists have been enjoying their visit to the fort as they enter through its huge antique gate.
As tourists reach the fort’s surface, their delight increases as they see the green palm tree oasis, old villages and mountain tops. The tourist guides in the fort provide visitors with all information related to the fort, its defensive features and its historical events.
Nakhal Souq is located near the fascinating fort. Many foreign tourists are keen to watch the traditional methods of selling and purchasing in the souq.
Tourists can enjoy their drive in the 2-kilometre-long road that leads to the stream, Ein Al Thowara, passing through palm tree gardens.
Ein Al Thowara attracts a large number of tourists. The water of the stream flows from under the rocks of Al Hajar Al Garbi Mountains which lead to the green areas around the site.
The continuous flow of the stream and its carving in the rocks leads to the formation of the central source of the stream which is called Al Kharas. warm water gathers in this place and then drops into a small waterfall, Wadi Al Hmmam. Ein Al Thowara is the main source for Kabah Falaj, which is the biggest valley in Nakhal as well as Al Ghareed Falaj.
The tourism site is equipped with all facilities necessary for tourists like wooden sunshades, chairs, car parks, bathrooms, children’s games and cafeteria.
Al Sheeba Mountain is the most famous mountain in Nakhal. It is 700 metres high from the sea level and several kilometres long. Nakhal mountains form a natural connection with the wilayat of Sumail. To cap it all, there is a passage through the mountains that has existed since ancient times and which leads to the wilayat of Sumail. All these facts together make Nakhal town one of the important tourist destinations.

Oman Tribune

Increased passenger traffic at Muscat, Salalah airports

The number of arrival and departure passengers through Muscat International Airport has increased by 6 per cent up to July
of the current year compared to the same period of the year 2008. Statistics shows an increase in the arrival passengers by 4 per cent to 1,000,431 passengers ending in July 2009 comparing to 963,282 passengers for the same period of the year 2008. The number of departing passengers has also increased by 8 per cent to 977,560 passengers ending in July this year comparing to 907,113 passengers for the same period of the year 2008.
The increase in arrival and departure traffic into Muscat International Airport is attributed to the increase of the number of flights to most of the airlines operating into Muscat. The total passenger traffic (including transit and transfer passengers through Muscat International Airport has increased by 8 per cent to 2,545,525 passengers for the period ending in July 2009 compared to 2,350,467 passengers for the same period of 2008. In terms of air cargo traffic at Muscat International airport, Aviation Statistics indicate a decline in the total unloaded and loaded freight by 1 per cent, with total shipment (33,514 tonnes) compared to (33,696 tonnes) in the same period in 2008.
Salalah Airport has witnessed a marginal increase in the total number of arriving and departing passengers to 239,445 passengers for the period ending in July in 2009 compared to 234,432 passengers for the same period of 2008. As for the movement of air cargo at Salalah Airport, freight traffic has recorded 10 per cent rise in total unloaded and loaded freight, bringing the shipment to 744 tonnes till July 2009 compared to (674 tonnes) in the same-period in 2008.

www.omanobserver.com

Oman Air to launch German operations in September

Oman Air will launch its first non-stop flights from Germany next month. Starting September, scheduled flights from Frankfurt will start their operation four times a week. Starting October, Oman Air will launch three weekly flights between Munich and Muscat.
The PR activities for Oman Air in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be handled by Munich-based PR agency Combo Communications GmbH. PR agencies in France and the UK have also been appointed.
Peter Hill, CEO of Oman Air, said: “We are happy to work together with Combo Communications in Germany as the team has decades of know-how and experience in PR and media relations for national and international airlines.”
Oman Air also has major international expansion plans: Starting October, Oman Air is launching new routes from Muscat to Paris, to Maldives and to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Furthermore, a worldwide brand campaign for Oman Air is scheduled to commence at the same time.
Yvonne Molek, managing director of Combo Communications, said: “We are very proud to be in charge of the PR activities for Oman Air in German-speaking Europe. Oman Air has enormous expansion plans and one of our targets is to position Oman Air as premium brand in Germany.”
The PR activities of Combo Communications will be handled by senior PR consultant Julia Pawelczyk and PR consultant Roberto La Pietra in Munich as well as PR coordinator Dishna Schwarz, based in Frankfurt.

Times of Oman