Driving across Oman’s spectacular Jebel Akhdar, mountain guide Hassan AlDaghari loves showing visitors an unexpected side of the Middle East.
The climate here is a cool 27 degrees in summer, and the place – which literally translates to “green mountain” – is famed for unparalleled access to rock climbing and hiking, as well as its rose harvests and an abundant pomegranate season.
“For people who like adventure, this is the right place,” the Omani local tells me, as the 4×4 rumbles along a mountainous road framed by juniper and olive trees, along with wild donkeys. “You can engage with the locals here easily, and can really feel the experience.”
Guide Hassan in the Jebel Ackhdar mountains (Tamara Davison)
The past year has been a hard one for the tourism sector here – as shown by the notable absence of tourists in the Jebel Akhdar mountains.
“Even though the situation here in Oman is good, tourists are still worried about flying,” Hassan adds, nodding to recent regional tensions that no one here asked for. “We hope [for more tourists], but you can tell from reservations … it’s still quiet.”
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Oman’s growing tourism industry is eager to change that and draw more visitors to a destination that remains surprisingly under the radar.
