The GCC countries are working on unified tourism promotion strategies, including a single visa scheme, which presents numerous opportunities in the logistics and tourism sectors in Oman.
Exploring the GCC by land is now more feasible due to the high cost of flight tickets to neighboring countries.
The Muscat-Riyadh bus service, launched recently, provides affordable travel options for Umrah travelers and tourists from the GCC during the Khareef season.
The international bus service between Muscat and Riyadh, which began last month, highlights the commercial potential of the direct road between Saudi Arabia and Oman, opened to the public in 2021.
In 2023, Oman welcomed 53,000 Umrah pilgrims, with around 14,000 traveling through the Empty Quarter.
Rashid al Khanjry from Al Khanjry Transport mentioned that while demand is increasing on the Muscat-Riyadh route, it is slower from the Saudi side due to the country's vast size, requiring time to spread the message.
According to him, there is a high volume of inquiries and the goal is to have daily operations. However, the challenge lies in the requirement set by the Saudi Authorities, which mandates a minimum of RO25 passengers per trip.
He mentioned that a bus journey typically lasts around 20 hours, subject to different variables. Despite this, it presents a feasible choice for travelers with a one-way fare of RO25. Comparatively, the one-way flight ticket to Riyadh from Muscat can reach up to RO100.
The company holds a license from the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Information Technology (MTICIT) to conduct international services. Their Muscat-Dubai route, the sole operator at present, has been running since 1999.
There are plans and approvals in place to introduce bus services to Qatar and Bahrain (during summer), as well as Salalah-Bahrain during Khareef.
Mwasalat, the public transport provider, has recently resumed international services to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the UAE.
Al Khanjry mentioned that there are intentions to introduce services connecting Damamam and Muscat.
The transportation industry presents numerous obstacles due to its focus on passengers rather than goods. However, our team possesses the necessary expertise to handle any challenges that may arise. All our drivers are Omani nationals and have extensive experience in managing lengthy international routes.
Citizens and residents of GCC countries are eligible to utilize our services. Expatriates can apply for e-visas, while certain nationalities of tourists may have the option of visa-on-arrival or other exemptions.
