Would you travel to Oman,Yemen,Saudi Arabia....??

FriarMo

Hi All!

Was wondering how the prospect of travelling to the Arabian Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, The U.A.E, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar) might seem to Irish holidaymakers. Obviously Dubai is becoming quite popular but what about places like Oman or Yemen which are off the beaten track? I’d imagine they would appeal to the backpacker bunch but would organized flight/hotel packages and guided tours entice more mainstream travellers? Any thoughts?


P.S. The reason I’m asking is because I’m originally from the region (though now living in Meath) and am dabbling at the idea of organizing these kinds of tours…..

gaf1983

I'm living in Qatar at the moment and I'd say there is a lot in the region to interest the Irish tourist. Oman is supposed to be beautiful. I think Doha is planning on modelling itself as the next Dubai just using a bit more planning going about it.

blue banana

I don't think tourists can go to Saudi Arabia, I think you have to have a working visa.

Darren

FriarMo wrote:

Hi All!

Was wondering how the prospect of travelling to the Arabian Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, The U.A.E, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar) might seem to Irish holidaymakers. Obviously Dubai is becoming quite popular but what about places like Oman or Yemen which are off the beaten track? I’d imagine they would appeal to the backpacker bunch but would organized flight/hotel packages and guided tours entice more mainstream travellers? Any thoughts?


P.S. The reason I’m asking is because I’m originally from the region (though now living in Meath) and am dabbling at the idea of organizing these kinds of tours…..

My experience -

UAE - Been there many times and loved it.
Oman - Was in Muscat last year, even better then the UAE.

Saudi - No way
Yemen - No way

Bahrain - Would like to try
Qatyar - Would like to try

Kuwait - I'd have to find out a bit more about this place.

xzanti

I'v heard that you cannot purchase alcohol in those countries??

Dellas

Saudi / Yeman no way you may as well go to Afghanistan!!!! Very dangerous and high terrorist threats to Westerners.

Dubai/Oman/Qatar/Kuwait/Bahrain no probs at all

Darren

xzanti wrote:

I'v heard that you cannot purchase alcohol in those countries??

Alcohol

UAE -

I know that you can get drink in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, there are no pubs but most if not all the hotels have bars. For example, you have the Dubliner bar in Le Meridien Dubai near the airport and you have a nice little Jazz bar in the continental hotel in Abu Dhabi - I am pretty sure that you cannot get booze in Fujairah. Not sure about the others which I am not even going to bother trying to spell. The only pain about the bars in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is the hassle from the working girls who seem to be increasing exponentially year on year.

OMAN -

Again, you can get alcohol in the Hotels. The bars do close between 3 and 6 pm.

Saudi -

Don't they flog you for having beer.

Kuwait -

Imagine this is the same as Saudi as by all accounts it's a Saudi puppet.

Qatar -

Don't know

Bahrain -

Loadsa beer.

Yemen -

Have no idea, If I was there, purchasing body armour would be my first priority not booze.

Dellas

Check out
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590



This tells you where you shouldnt go to !!!