AboutPeter Ochs Expertise I am a seasoned traveler and resident in the Middle East. I can answer most questions about the Eastern gulf: cultural, historical geographical, as well as travel logistics. I specialize in tours to Oman but can also handle other countries in the GCC ( UAE, Qatar, etc.) I don`t do Yemen, at least not yet.
Experience
Past/Present clients World Wildlife Fund
Shell Petroleum
Halliburton
Ericcson
US Embassy, Muscat
Oman Sheraton
Lufthansa
Swiss Air
Edu-tainment Travel Services
When we last corresponded, you mentioned that you are travelling back to Oman leading a delegation from the Council on US-Arab Relations. I hope that went well. At that time, you said you might have a better feel for how the environment is Oman towards Americans.
I was wondering if you still feel it is a wise decision to make a trip their as an American. I must say that both my father-in-law and I have been a bit appalled at the beheadings in Iraq as well as the kidnappings and worry that that could spill over to Oman unexpectedly. Any thoughts?
I trust the Omanis feel the same as before and that visiting there should pose no problem and that we would be treated well. Or do you recommend holding off for now (say 6 months or so).
You're the expert, so your suggestions are keenly appreciated.
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Followup To
Question -
Hello Peter!
You seem to have a good memory. Unfortunately, my memory is not as good as yours. I apologize for that. With which travel company are you associated? That will probably jog my memory.
In any case, I appreciate your kindness and reply to my question. You are correct that my trip never materialized to this date. It seems that the best time to travel to Oman is around October or thereafter. Unfortunately, January through May is my busy season and I am not generally off October-December. This year is an exception and that is why I am in the process of booking a trip for my father-in-law and I.
To be honest, I have felt many times that the charges I have been quoted for a 2 week stay in Oman were, let's say, a bit inflated. My experience has been over the past few years is that when I contact tour operators directly in the country I want to visit there is a remarkable difference in price. Don't get me wrong, and I mean no offense, and yes one is entitled to make a profit to live, but the discrepancies were too big.
I am not sure how you price your trips and I would be happy to discuss that with you again in reaching a decision for this October. I have already reserved my tickets For arrival in Muscat on October 2 and departure on October 20. I am looking to do all in Oman, including Masirah Island and the Musandam Peninsula. I can get into more specifics if you like and tell me how to contact you.
Let me know.
Nathan Ronen
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Followup To
Question -
I am considering travel to Oman with my father-in-law this October. Given recent developments in the Middle Eastern countries nearby, I was wondering if there is any potential danger for USA and Japanese tourits in Oman. I am Jewish, but my father-in-law is not. I am simply wondering about being an American Jew traveling in the area, if it is better to go elsewhere. I have been to Egypt and Jordan with no problems and I think Oman will be the same way. Any suggestions you may have are greatly appreciated. My travels are alweays with a private guide and driver. My question also applies to Iran.
Thank you.
Answer -
Dear Mr Ronen:
I believe we made contact last year when you were planning to go to Oman. Apparently that trip has not materialized yet? You also contacted a colleague of mine in Virginia?
I will be going to Oman next week leading a delgation from the National Council on US Arab Relations, a group of scholars from the Joseph Malone Fellowship sponsored by the council.
I have not seen any outward anti-American sentiment in Oman in any of my recent visits there. Regarding anti-Jewish sentiment, it is something that has not shown its face until the start of the recent hostilities with the Palestinians. While I know many Omanis who are respectful of the Jewish faith, there does seem to be a resentment towards the current political situation. Of course there are always a few hotheads.
And while the Omanis are the most moderate amongst the Arabs, they were under pressure a few years back to suspend activity by the Jewish Mission in Oman shortly after hostilities broke out, which is most unfortunate as I felt they had come a long way to normalize relations with Israel. When the issue will be taken up again remains to be seen. I cannot yet gauge what negative effects the Iraq crisis is having on travel to Oman. But I should get a feel for it next week.
That being said, I believe that courtesies extended to Jews have not been officially revoked, but that doesn't stop the opinionated civil servant who got up on the wrong side of the bed the morning he reviews your visa application.
Barring that, I think once you get in country you can travel comfortably albeit discreetly. Your father in law should have no such problems vis a vis entry. The Japanese presence in Oman has always been strong from a tourist perspective, however, everyone is being circumspect these days.
I will be back in the states next month if you wish to contact me again at my email or thorugh this forum.
Regards,
Peter Ochs
Answer -
I don't work for any company as there is not enough business to sustain me. So I've been doing odd jobs waiting for the tourism to open back up. In the meantime I can be guaranteed a bit of business with the NCUSAR, whom I mentioned previously. I am hoping that I can build on that. For instance with the success of the Malone Fellows trips, I am going to try to add other trips to Oman, one at a time.
BTW, I got your contact last year from the Oman Embassy, whom you had contacted and they forwarded it on to me. This was after you had contacted my colleague in Virginia at Border Discovery. He is going back to live in the UK and run his business from over there.
The reason Oman is very pricey is that they don't get a lot of business, at least enough to make it pay. I have seen so many local operators over there go by the board.
My contact over there is Chris Beal whose wife Heidi used to be the pre-eminent tour operator in Oman until she died of cancer a couple of years back. Even Chris has scaled back quite a bit, so much so that he collaborates with another newer company called MDAC (Muscat Diving and Adventure Club). When I priced your tour through Chris last year I didn't include any markup for myself because I knew it was a one-off job and didn't anticiapte anything further. And I wasn't pursuing the endeavor whole heartedly because I knew the business had nat yet started to come back. (I don't know what the agent in New York was quoting you but I am sure he was looking for a cut.) The good news is that quote might still hold sway, or if it changed it won't be much more. The economic scene over there, albeit light, is stable. Send me your itinerary again. Email me at omanrover@earthlink.net
BTW, Do you have a copy of my book, the Maverick Guide to Oman?
Pete Ochs
Answer Hi Nathan!
Yes, we had a very successful trip to Oman. As a matter of fact, I went on to spend a few weeks in Saudi Arabia to scout out destination potential there (and I am much inclined to follow through with this upon my return home).
You have absolutely nothing to worry about in Oman. The spiritual/emotional climate there is quite different from anywhere else in the Middle East. I would go on with your trip as planned. You should receive the same geniality that is displayed at any other time. But since you are Jewish, I would be discreet in case you run into the oddball hothead (and I would say this chance is remote at best).
As noted before, I am currently not working for any travel company. I just rely on my ground contacts over there. I originally received your request from the Oman Embassy in DC. (see previous correspondence)
Yes things continue to remain pricey in Oman. But since this is a year on from your original departure, would you kindly resubmit your planned itinerary, as I am sure prices have changed. (In some cases, this may be for the better. Tourism is opening up again, albeit slowly, and we may be able to find some bargains to entice people in.) I have contacts who will give you a good price and good value for your money.
Remember, since you only have a party of two (if I remember correctly) you won't have much leeway to spread the cost around. If you can get two more people to join you, you will maximize your savings greatly. This is because a lot of your cost is eaten up by transport and in your case, you will be using four-wheel drives which can take on 4 passengers.
