Selling Travel July/August 19

middle east 41
DESERT TRACKS IN OMAN
MIDDLE EAST FEAST IN AJMAN
tour would include a visit to the Grand
Mosque, the markets and souk in Muttrah
and the Sultan’s Palace, which is flanked
by the Portuguese forts Jalali and Mirani,
before finishing with a visit to the Bait Al
Zubair Museum for a look back in time at
Oman’s past. Oman’s cuisine is also topnotch,
whether fine hotel-based dining or
more humble street food.
Gold Medal (goldmedal.co.uk) has three
nights at the five-star Al Bandar at Shangri
La Barr Al Jissah, staying in a deluxe room
on a B&B basis, including return economy
flights with Oman Air from Heathrow and
the Muscat City Tour. Prices start from
£906pp, up to September 30.
Alternative Option: The tiny, oil- and gas-rich
nation of Qatar is gradually increasing its cultural
offerings, including various art galleries and the
National Museum of Qatar.
The client asks for an action-packed
beach holiday in the Mediterranean…
... You suggest Ras Al
Khaimah
Ras al Khaimah, or RAK, is fast-becoming
the adventure capital of the Gulf. The Jebel
Jais Flight zipline is 1.76 miles long and
takes adrenaline junkies on a three-minute
ride over spectacular rocky terrain.
RAK is the northernmost emirate and
the nearest to Oman. If your client wants
an idea of how Dubai was 30 years ago
suggest here. It has the desert and beach
but without the high-rises and traffic. It
also has a burgeoning luxury hotel scene,
with a focus on eco-resorts. Next year sees
the opening of The Anantara Resort in
Mina Al Arab. An eco-sanctuary, It will have
300 rooms, suites and over-water villas in
sthe style of a property in the Maldives.
An InterContinental is also due to open
in Mina al Arab, followed by eight more
hotels in 2021.
If Only (ifonly.net) has five nights at the
five-star deluxe Waldorf Astoria Ras Al
Khaimah, in a Classic Room, including
complimentary half-board and return
flights with Emirates from £939pp.
Alternative Option: Neighbouring Oman is even
less developed, especially in the rugged Musandam
Peninsula, and is world famous for its spectacular
scuba diving.
The client asks for a luxury break in
the Caribbean with lots of activities
for the kids…
…You suggest Dubai
Compared to the Caribbean, Dubai
involves a shorter flight and often more
competitive deals for flights and hotels.
Sheryl Makin, Director of the Luxury
Travel Boutique, was asked to find a beach
holiday for a family with musts including
“The Gulf has performed
fantastically well as an
overall destination since
the beginning of 2019”
Iain Raeper, If Only
a warm climate, a golf destination, some
interest for foodies and lots of activities
for young adults. She says: “They were
thinking Caribbean but I quoted four hotels
in Dubai and they liked the new Mandarin
Oriental best. This option is perfect for
them as they have a huge choice of golf
courses and packages which I can pre-book
for them. They are also keen on racing
so I’m looking in to a day at Meyden race
course for them.
“There are endless suggestions for
activities and days out for the adult sons,
from a snow dome to water parks and
dune buggy excursions.”
Lusso Travel (lussotravel.com) is offering
six nights at the Mandarin Oriental Dubai
for four people, half-board with transfers,
and return economy flights with Emirates
for £3,415pp, departing in December 2019.
Alternative option: Ajman is also worth
considering for a fly-and-flop holiday with hotelbased
activities. It’s easily accessible from Dubai,
just a 40-minute drive along the coast, but still
relatively unknown.
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