Foreign Office updates travel advice for Oman
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Oman to remind visitors that it is illegal for them to share the same hotel room with someone of the opposite sex to whom they aren’t married or closely related.
It said that local laws reflect the fact that Oman is an Islamic country and reminded Britons to respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times.
The Foreign Office had previously advised visitors to Oman, an increasingly popular tourist destination, to make sure their actions didn’t offend locals.
"Women should dress modestly in public areas. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible. You should not wear swimming attire in public areas, except on tourist beaches or swimming pools. Women wearing shorts, or tight-fitting clothes, are likely to attract attention," it said.
It also warns that hobbies that involve cameras and binoculars like bird watching and plane spotting might be misunderstood – particularly near military sites, government buildings and airports.
"The use of bad language, rude gestures or public displays of affection may get you into trouble with the police," it said, while also reminding visitors they must carry a copy of their passport at all times for ID purposes.
It also reminded visitors that it is an offence to drink alcohol or be drunk in public and the legal age for drinking alcohol is 21.
Homosexuality is illegal in Oman, it said.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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