Oman lies at the eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Sharjah and Fujairah (UAE) separate the main part of Oman from the northernmost part of the state, a peninsula (Musandam) extending into the Strait of Hormuz. It is for many Westerners a country waiting to be discovered.

Historically Omanis were seafarers and traders who dominated regional commodity trading in the Indian Ocean, East Africa and the Arabian Gulf. There were thus a succession of migrations which saw the growth of settlements along some parts of the East African coast.

Oman’s varied and spectacular landscapes are a blend of its geological history, and its climate over the past few million years. Oman, located at the southeast corner of the Arabian plate, is being pushed slowly northward, as the Red Sea grows wider. The lofty Al Hajar Mountains and the drowned valleys of Musandam are dramatic reminders of this. There are superb rock outcrops in the Al Hajar Mountains, the Huqf and Dhofar. The rock record spans about 825 million years and includes at least three periods when the country was covered by ice, somewhat surprising given its present latitude and climate.

There is a wealth of landscapes, marine, cloud forest, deserts, fertile plains, mountains and oases, and natural heritage to be enjoyed in Oman and a remarkably diversity of art, culture, folklore and artisanship, passed from generation to generation to be seen. In Oman you will experience their respect for time, for people, and for nature.

The pre- and post-conference tours provide an opportunity to see and experience the best of what Oman has to offer in Responsible Tourism in a destination with diverse natural and cultural landscapes.

The country’s climate, like its topography is diverse, with humid coastal areas and a hot, dry desert interior. Although rainfall is generally light and irregular, Dhofar province in the south catches the Indian Ocean monsoon that falls between June and September. In the interior summer temperatures can soar to 130°F (54°C). Most tourists visit during the more temperate months between October and April; the Conference is taking place at the beginning of the more temperate season but it will be warm.

In 1970, Oman had just 3 kms of asphalted roads. Asking a 50-year old Omani man to describe his country in the 1960s, the answer was simply: “There was nothing …”. The country had only a few basic roads, a tiny number of schools and little in the way of medical care; its people were poor and disadvantaged. Many of Oman’s wealthy and educated had left the country to seek their fortunes abroad. One of the first challenges His Majesty faced was to reverse this “brain drain”, to encourage expatriate Omanis to return home and throw their weight behind the creation of a strong, educated, unified nation. This they did with enthusiasm, helping to build and develop the thriving, vibrant country that is modern day Oman.

Oil production on a commercial scale began in 1967.When Sultan Qaboos came to power in 1970, Oman was almost as far removed from the modern, prosperous 21st century state we know today, as it is possible to get. The development process in Oman has struck a balanced formula between modernity and tradition. As His Majesty himself said “No evolution without roota”

For its size, Oman boasts an unprecedented number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Bat, with its tombs dating back 3,000 years, the Fort of Bahla, and the fascinating Frankincense Route which commences from Dhofar and includes Al-Blaid, site of the ancient city of Zafar, Khawr Rawri, Shisr and Wadi Dukah.

Renowned for its commitment to nature protection, Oman has a wealth of nature parks and sanctuaries. Examples include Dimaniyat Islands, Al Saleel National Park, Ra’s Al Hadd Turtle Reserve, Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, Jabal Samhan and The Nine Khawrs of the Dhofar Coast. Several other protected areas and nature conservation sites are currently being considered.