First double-decker buses in Oman for tourists

Tourists for the first time in Oman will enjoy their sightseeing trips while riding on double-decker buses, the country’s Tourism Undersecretary Maitha Bint Saed Bin Majis Al-Mahrouqi said.

“The objective of introducing the Big Bus Tours in Oman is to show the magnificent beauty of this country to the people of the world,” Omani Tribune quoted Mahrouqi on Friday.

The 71-seater double decker buses, which are also used in the UAE, London, and 12 more cities from all over the world, will start taking tourists around Muscat on Sunday.

The two-hour trip on the five-fleet double-decker buses will show tourists different historic attractions and landmarks of old Muscat. The buses will be covering 12 stops where tourists can get off, take pictures, and shop for as long as they want. They can also hop on to the next bus that will take them to other destinations.

Landmark areas such as Al-Alam Palace, Al-Bustan Palace Hotel, Council of Oman building and the Royal Opera House will be covered in the tour, while a shuttle service will be available for tourists who wish to visit the Grand Mosque, UAE-based Gulf News reported Friday.

Oman’s Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. Famous for its intricate architectural design and distinctive minarets, the grand mosque can accommodate 20,000 worshippers.

The tour will cost $51 for adults, $26 for children while a group of four Omanis will have to pay $130 for tickets.

The route, as prepared by Omani Travel Point and London-based Big Bus, will have informative commentary in six different languages: English, Arabic, French, German, Italian and Spanish, the Omani Tribune said.