Muscat: In a step to support efforts exerted by the State of Qatar to host the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT), will carry out a series of special programs.
With Muscat as one of the major and approved cities to receive the World Cup fans, the details were unveiled in a press conference held on Wednesday.
It was revealed at the press conference that holding the Hayya card of the Qatar government can apply for a visa online or on arrival at ports.
During the conference, it was stressed that special match day shuttle flights will operate to the Old Doha Airport with economy ticket fares from RO99 for fans.
Specific gates will be allocated for World Cup flights at the Muscat International airport, apart from a dedicated terminal for buses ferrying football fans.
MHT Officials said that a FIFA village will be established at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) with details to be revealed soon.
The press conference was attended by a joint working team chaired by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, which includes several governmental bodies, especially the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Sultanate of Oman Police, and the Omani Investment Authority companies – Omran, Oman Air and Oman Airports.
The press conference was chaired by Saada Azan bin Qasim al Busaidi, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Chairman of the Steering Committee for Managing the Program, with the official delegation from Qatar – Al-Fadel Khaled al Mawlawi, Deputy Director-General of Tourism and Fadel Saeed Quarry, CEO for Hayya platform (the official platform for registering the Qatar World Cup fans’ card).
Colonel Ahmed bin Saeed al Ghafri, Director of Administrative Affairs and Finance in the General Administration for Passports and Civil Status, said that World Cup fans can enter the Sultanate (Hayya card holders) with a free visa (valid for up to 60 days). The Hayya cardholder can avail of this facility for family members and will be allowed to change the visa to another category during his stay in the Sultanate of Oman in accordance with certain conditions.
An air bridge between Muscat and Doha for the fans
Omani Air will operate several flights between Muscat and Doha during the World Cup matches starting from November 20 until December 3, 2022, in which fans will be able to book one-day flights directly via www.omanair.com with prices starting from RO99 Omani for economy class and RO305 for business class. To encourage citizens, special prices have been provided for them starting from RO49 for economy class and RO155 riyals for business class.
Oman Airports said there will be dedicated departure and arrival gates, baggage conveyors, check-in counters fans, and a customer service team in place to guide passengers through custom routes. There will be a transportation plan to facilitate the flow of fans to and from the airport via special bus stops for buses.
Fadel Shabib bin Mohammed al Maamari, General Director of Visit Oman, said that the products offered in the Sultanate include more than 20,000 hotel rooms, over 200 tourist products via more than 35 local operators and 10 land transport companies, the partnership with 52 airlines around the world includes flights to the Sultanate of Oman.
The OCEC, covering an area of more than 9,000 sqm, will provide a festive atmosphere for the World Cup 2020 fans with a variety of activities and events in cooperation with
