A report says:

MUSCAT: Dubai used to be an attractive destination for Eid holidayers from Oman, but officials in the travel industry point out that there is a huge plunge in the number of those travelling to Dubai.

M. Mehmood, general manager of Al Hashar Travels, says, “The visa charges are now RO18 per passport for those travelling to Dubai. A family of four travelling to Dubai will feel the pinch and they will think twice before planning a trip to this neighbouring state.”

Mehmood also pointed out that while residents of the UAE or Bahrain have to pay just RO3 to enter Oman, those visiting Dubai have to shell out six times more.

“We suggest that some reciprocal arrangement is made by the governments,” he added.

…but, Dubai sings a different tune.

DUBAI: The new visit visa rule enforced in July has not affected arrival of visitors to the UAE, said Major-General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department, in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times recently.

Dismissing criticism that the new rule was meant to impose higher costs on the people, he said, nonetheless, customers are generally satisfied with it.

“The increase in the number of entry permits issued since the new rule was introduced is a fair indication of public satisfaction.

Old bill.

New bill.

I checked my latest fixed line phone bill, and it was a shocker. The phone rentals have been increased from RO 3 to RO 4.9 from the month of August 2008. There is a catch: a ‘75 min free’ bonanza is offered along with the new tariff. This means, if I call a number in Musandam or Salalah or Muscat, I will be charged with the same rates unlike earlier where rates were based on how close the distance was from the telephone exchange through which the call was made. Fantastic!

An Omantel press release earlier said:

Saleh bin Abdullah Al Farsi, head of Marketing and Customer Service at Omantel, said that the new tariff for fixed line services was part of several plans designed by the company to develop its services in line with the current trends of liberalising the telecom market in the Sultanate as well as the impending competitive environment.

Most incumbents around the world have undergone similar rebalancing programmes. In view of the fact that Omantel is fully aware of market developments, it provides competitive rates and unique services to its customers.

“Omantel is keen to examine and assess all its telecom services. It always endeavours to satisfy the requirements of the age, and live up to the aspirations and expectations of its subscribers, especially as the next stage would see radical changes in the telecom world, where operators would compete to provide the best services. Therefore, Omantel hastened to introduce new local rates and to provide fixed line and the hi-speed ADSL internet services in one contract and one unified bill. It has also reduced international and long distance call rates. These measures conform to the company’s vision for the next stage and reflect the importance it attaches to its subscribers,” Saleh Al Farsi said. (more)

But consider my case. I don’t make many calls through landline, and I don’t have any friends in the interiors or in places like Sur or Sohar. So what benefit is the new facility offering me? Moreover, by default all subscribers have been put in the RO 4.9 category from the month of August which means you don’t have any option but to dance to the whims and fancies of ‘billing whizkids’ at Omantel. I don’t need the new service, but I still have to pay extra just because the new package is in place. Can it get more ridiculous than this?

In an online poll conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Status on its website, 62.6% of the respondents are happy with the introduction of e-Gate service at Muscat International Airport. Like it happens always in Oman, 28.2% have no clue about the service.

Screenshots from the website.

Yesterday evening, a car fell off the Hamriya flyover near Ruwi after crashing through the metal barricade at 6pm. No details were available on the cause of crash or on the condition of the people travelling in the car. The Hamriya flyover is a beehive of activity on Friday evenings, and since it was ‘iftar’ time, there weren’t many vehicles or people below the flyover.

The car, lying below, crashed through this metal barricade.

First, it was Amjad, then Al-Maawali and now it is Blue-chi. What is common between all of them? Well, they were all terrific bloggers from Oman who are in foreign shores, pursing higher studies now. The best part was they used to write a lot of Oman-specific stuff, and I miss those very much. I’ve met these three youngsters, and they are all very good human beings, very down to earth. Blue-chi, I am gonna miss your tech-related posts very badly, and I hope you won’t disappoint me for one full year.

I am getting a bit nostalgic at this moment. Oman is a foreign land for me, and one day I will have to go back to India. I started blogging in Oman, and I would be carrying a lot of sweet memories (I mean it) back home then. I know life goes on, but still…

A Press Release said:

MUSCAT: The much anticipated Qurum City Centre is all set to open to the public in October. Once operational, Qurum City Centre will bring an exceptional retail and dining experience to the city’s shoppers. The mall will be the first of its kind in downtown Qurum and will include upmarket retailers in various segments, from fashion, food and beverage to convenience and service shops.

Retailers have been completing the fit-out of their stores with Carrefour hypermarket, the single largest store occupying 12,552 square metres.

Commenting on the announcement, Ibrahim Al Qasimi, spokesperson for Qurum City Centre, said: “We now have a few weeks to go before the opening of Qurum City Centre and the handover of these stores is an important milestone to achieve prior to the October launch. It is our aim to offer the world’s best shopping facilities under one roof and thereby meet the expectations of the discerning shopper in Oman.”

Strategically located in the heart of Qurum’s commercial district in Muscat, the Centre will be an ideal shopping arena for the community in the adjoining areas. It will be home to over 75 retail outlets spread over a gross leasable area of 20,600 square metres, including Carrefour and popular brands such as H&M, Mango and Borders.

(Photo source: PR agency)

A report in Economic Times says:

DUBAI: A total of 2,603 Indians, who have been illegally overstaying in Oman will be allowed to go home without paying any fine.

Oman’s Inspector General of Police and Customs Malik Bin Sulaiman Al Maamari said this in the course of a meeting with visiting Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed in Muscat on Monday, according to an Indian embassy statement.

Ahamed is on a two-day visit to the Gulf nation. “As a goodwill gesture, Lt Gen Maamari agreed to expedite the repatriation of these overstaying Indian nationals without fines and issued instructions that they be repatriated forthwith subject to usual checks,” the statement said. (more)

Hormuz, the second 65-metre vehicle-passenger ferry, has arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat. Unlike the arrival of first ferry, Shinas, which received widespread media attention, Hormuz has made a rather quiet entry. Hormuz recorded a maximum speed of 56 knots (103.7km/h) and a service speed of 52 knots during sea trials held in Australia last month. The feat makes it the fastest diesel-powered vehicle passenger ferry in the world – a title previously held by its sister vessel Shinas, which recorded a maximum speed of 55.9 knots last year. Both the ferries are owned by National Ferry Boats Company, an Omani government undertaking.

15 minutes to find a parking slot, 10 minutes to pick-up groceries, 30 minutes at cash counter. That’s Lulu for you…“where the world comes to shop”!