AYM Travel

Oman, Brunei Darussalam celebrate 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Oman

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman and Brunei Darussalam on Monday celebrated the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between them.

The event, held at the Foreign Ministry, saw the launch of a commemorative logo symbolising the depth of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

Speaking at the event, Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, said, “The Sultanate of Oman and Brunei Darussalam share deep-rooted relations characterised by constant communication and successful achievements in various economic, cultural and political fields.”

Al Harthy added that “many projects and investment opportunities are in the offing in the fields of fish farming, health and education."

For her part, Noralizan Abdula Momin, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Sultanate of Oman, said: “The two countries share fraternal bonds in various areas of common interest since 1984. Their relations have ever-since seen steady growth.”

Noralizan pointed out that relations between Oman and Brunei Darussalam are set to witness more progress in many areas of cooperation, the outcome of which would be the consolidation of partnerships in the fields of education, culture, defence, economic investment, energy and food security.

Muscat: The Omani Culinary Arts Festival, organised by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the Wilayat of Salalah, has kicked off in conjunction with the Dhofar Khareef Season 2024.
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Omani Culinary Arts Festival kicks off in Salalah

The festival, which will run until August 26, includes various activities, including live shows by a number of Omani and Gulf chefs, in the presence of many cooking enthusiasts and influencers from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to a number of sections such as the Little Chef Corner, traditional music folklore shows, and various competitions, as well as a corner for farmers and local products, another for gifts and souvenirs, and restaurants serving traditional Omani foods.

The festival comes within the framework of the "Food Tourism and Omani Culinary Arts" programme, through which the ministry seeks to introduce Omani cuisine as one of the means to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability and activate the role of tourism in strengthening local communities and providing business opportunities for small and medium enterprises.

It is noteworthy that the Omani Culinary Arts Festival aims to promote tourism and enhance food tourism, especially Omani culinary arts and Omani cuisine locally, regionally and globally through forums, festivals and events specialized in the field of food and culinary arts.

The opening ceremony of the festival was sponsored by His Excellency Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Visa-free countries UAE residents can visit aside from Georgia, Armenia

As airfares to popular visa-free destinations such as Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan soar by as much as 300 percent during the upcoming National Day holiday, with round-trip tickets to these countries exceeding Dh2,800, there are other destinations that provide visa-free entry for UAE residents (with certain nationalities exempted) that might offer more affordable travel options.

“Travel during the National Day holiday from November 30 to December 3 is always in high demand,” said Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels. “And during the last long weekend of the year, many residents plan well in advance, but this year, the surge in prices to popular destinations from the UAE has caught everyone by surprise,” said Aidasani.However, travel industry executives told Khaleej Times that visa-free countries for UAE residents of many nationalities can explore destinations like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Seychelles, and Zanzibar where the ticket prices are comparatively lower at the moment.Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan have always been in demand. There are other destinations like Uzbekistan, Seychelles, Zanzibar, and Kazakhstan preferred by residents and the airfares have not increased as of now,” said Pavan Poojary, travel consultant at Luxury Travel.

“So these visa-on-arrival countries for most of the nationalities residing in the UAE can be perfect destinations during the National Day holiday,” said Poojary.

Beach destinations

For those looking for a beach getaway, “Seychelles and the Maldives are top choices for UAE residents,” said Aidasani. Both destinations offer pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a serene environment perfect for relaxation. “However, with the increasing demand during the long weekend, we urge travellers to secure a seat well in advance,” said Aidasani.Mountain destinations

For travellers seeking adventure and breathtaking mountain landscapes, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan offer stunning options. “The travel time to these countries is less than four hours. And due to a limited number of days off, travellers don’t want to waste too much of their time on travelling,” said Geoffrey Salatan, CEO of Geof Travel.

These destinations are known for their rugged terrains, majestic peaks, and unique cultural experiences. “The cool weather and diverse activities at these destinations make them attractive choices for UAE residents,” said Salatan.

Beautiful landscapes

According to industry executives, Zanzibar is gaining a lot of interest among the UAE residents. “Zanzibar offers some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world. Many UAE residents prefer a different experience,” said Poojary.

Industry executives said that they are already witnessing a rush of inquiries as UAE residents finalise their holiday plans.

MUSCAT: The panel of jury is composed of leading experts, specialists, and prominent personalities from Oman’s national economy.

Heading the committee is His Highness Sayyid Dr. Adham Al Said, Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Economics and Political Science. Other members of the jury include Dr. Siham Al Harthy, Chairman of Sama Real Estate Company and Board Member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Ashraf Al Nabhan, former Chairman of the Muscat Securities Market; and Dr. Ahmed Kashoub, Chairman of the Index Center for Economic and Financial Consultations.

To be held on the sidelines of the ‘Themar Islamic Banking Conference’, the awards aim to recognize operational excellence and innovation in Islamic banking and endowment investment sectors in Oman. It seeks to offer a transparent platform for financial institutions to showcase their sustainable development and innovation goals for the betterment of national economy.It is pertinent to note here that the Themar Islamic Banking Conference is all set to create a new benchmark in the sector with an agenda packed with interactive discussions and talks.

The conference also aims to introduce innovative indicators to elevate the structure of the Islamic banking industry, catering to the diverse financial needs of individuals, private entities, and public institutions.

Pakistan's Aamir Khan bags gold medal at 7th Taekwondo Championship
In an emotional statement, Amir Khan dedicated his success to his hometown and his country, expressing gratitude for the support he received from his coaches, family, and friends.
The 7th Heroes Taekwondo International Championship took place from August 10 to 12 at Assumption University of Thailand in Bangkok.
Khan has continued Pakistan's recent string of success in sports, a feat that follows closely on the heels of Arshad Nadeem's record-breaking achievement at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Under-15 youth football also has secured a spot in the final of the Norway Cup 2024 after an impressive 3-0 victory against Norway's Varegg Football in Oslo.
Competing under the banner "Better Future Pakistan," the young Pakistani squad demonstrated remarkable talent and determination throughout the tournament.
The Under-15 team's journey to the final has been marked by an outstanding performance, where they have scored a total of 26 goals while conceding only five.

Pakistan's Aamir Khan bags gold medal at 7th Taekwondo Championship

In an emotional statement, Amir Khan dedicated his success to his hometown and his country, expressing gratitude for the support he received from his coaches, family, and friends.

The 7th Heroes Taekwondo International Championship took place from August 10 to 12 at Assumption University of Thailand in Bangkok.

Khan has continued Pakistan's recent string of success in sports, a feat that follows closely on the heels of Arshad Nadeem's record-breaking achievement at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Under-15 youth football also has secured a spot in the final of the Norway Cup 2024 after an impressive 3-0 victory against Norway's Varegg Football in Oslo.

Competing under the banner "Better Future Pakistan," the young Pakistani squad demonstrated remarkable talent and determination throughout the tournament.

The Under-15 team's journey to the final has been marked by an outstanding performance, where they have scored a total of 26 goals while conceding only five.

Netherlands's Olympian Sifan Hassan sent a powerful message when she donned a hijab while accepting her gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Dutch runner won the gold for completing the 42.5-kilometer Olympic Marathon in a record time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds, US media outlets reported.