Evening entertainment for motor sports enthusiasts

People in the region find it easy to relate to cars and motor sports. They often get carried away by the spirit on public roads as opposed to dedicated venues. Well they aren't too many the argument would be.  Most certainly there is one at the Oman Automobile Association (AOO) headquarter opposite the airport in Seeb.

The recently renovated go cart track and racing center is well endowed and relatively well managed. The track is roughly a kilometer long with 10-12 versatile turns involving hairpins and long fast right handers as well. The carts are not new but in decent shape, perhaps they would need a bit more care here and there.

The Mini GP package that I participated in, replicates the exiting ambiance of a car race, with qualifying sessions followed by 2 races of 11 laps. If you don't have enough buddies to convince to join you for a race (between 8 and 12 is ideal), you can just show up and do some practice laps with whoever else is on the track at that time.  The full package of RO. 250 involves renting the track and the carts for one hour for up to 12-15 people (RO. 20-30 per person). If you show up individually it would be slightly less.

Strict safety rules are in place and the course marshals make sure they are followed, which is somewhat reassuring.

I personally think there is still a lot of unexplored potential in this facility, and many things can be improved to maximize its potential, but overall its a great attraction that is perhaps currently underrated. It is also a great venue for team building or similar corporate events.

So I suggest every interested motorist  put its  skills at test there instead of the roads. You can book on the OAA website.

Well done OAA, looking forward seeing similar facilities in the area, like I mentioned some time ago. 

Health camp or lancet?

I have read the other day in the Hi magazine's readers comments section on ways  to improve the domestic tourism.  If you have been following my tourism related mumbles inhere, you know I  emphasized a few times the importance of domestic tourism and means of improving it.
A new thought is related to health tourism. This is normally associated to wellness, spas, thermal water, nutrition, holistic light treatments (non-intrusive). Not to be confused with medical tourism (dental, plastic surgery etc.).

I have a couple of surgeon friends in Muscat and they always amaze me. Not just their ability to save lives and improve conditions of living, but also of how much they have to work on obesity related malfunctions. And these are very costly interventions most of the time covered by the patients themselves. So there is a whole lot of disposable income available for painful interventions with the hope of quick and sustainable result. These are certainly quick and in most cases result in noticeable  improvements,  however they are all but sustainable. For that it would take change of habits, mentality, the proof of results through nutrition and lifestyle. No lancet can do that.

But, there might be an opportunity for some retreat programs aimed at changing your lifestyle, nutrition, exercise habits achieving sustainable results and a healthier population. Maybe it sounds naive but it's actually not. There are several examples of such 'fit farms'  where guest partake in a 7-10 days strict retreat type programs, living in  a remote "hotel" which resemble more like a camp. It's not an all inclusive, all you can eat health resort with some light morning stretching followed by beach pose all day long pretending you are recharging. It's more like a boot camp that once you sign up and pay the expensive fee they guarantee you will walk out as a different person. With more self confidence, more healthy nutrition habits, being aware of how to push your limits, and perhaps with a bit more inner balance. The best such example is The Ashram (in California and Spain) and perhaps the Canyon Ranch in US.

Obviously there are thousands of variations from a sports and endurance focus to weight loss, from detox and nutrition to body and soul balance etc. The bottom line, with people struggling for a healthier lifestyle and willing to spends thousands of rials on surgeries there must be a case for such programs and facilities.

New trends in tourism?

Soul searching

It is kind of a known way of travelling, typically associated to backpacker travelling in South East Asia.  I have an increasing number of friends who are trying to escape from their everyday life (typically in tough periods) for 3 to 6 months or more, just to have some time away with themselves and figure out what is really important for them in life.  Bali, India, Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam are typical preferred by these travelers, who’s age range from 25 to 60.  There is a good chance that such lads are coming back home with a fisherman look (suntanned &  bearded) practicing yoga and being vegetarians. Well at least that’s the modal character of a soul searcher trying to adapt back to big city life or just kissing good bye to it forever.

Travel to a new skill

Have you heard of the muay thai boot camps in Thailand, where they make you suffer few hours a day for 2-3 month with the reward of coming back to your real life ripped like a kung fu warrior and never being scared again by the big guy in the pub? Well that’s just one of the options you have if you want to spend few months of your life away from home, returning with a totally new skill.  Visiting certain monasteries for an intense language course is another such formula. I am sure traveler creativity has all figured it out already and one can become a sushi chef, coastal lifeguard, or sailing instructor in few weeks or month of intensive training in exotic locations.

Movie locations catcher

Probably Paris did not need the DaVinci Code to promote itself, unwillingly however several locations within the French capital that featured in the movie (like the Saint-Sulpice chapel) became known and visited  by hundreds of thousands of DaVinci Code enthusiast. Same goes for the clay houses where a few shots of the Star Wars were taken back in the 80's in Tunis (today The Sidi Driss Hotel, in Matmata), the locations of the Jaws in Massachusetts or even the Nothing Hill in London.

This is still a very niche kind of segment but I recon it is growing in volume and importance as the Asian travel market is becoming increasingly significant. Somewhat similar is the sport fan travel. Football games or even stadiums within the English Premier League and the Serie A of Italy are becoming pilgrimage sites for thousands of traveling fans annually.

Time travel

Let’s be honest, probably you thought about how’d be like to live a few centuries back for some days? Waking up as a knight in the age of Arthur the Lion Heart, or as Robin Hood? Eventually Maryann or another princess in the royal court? Well if not than you must have had a very different childhood than most of the people I know. Or, the only thing you thought about is how’d be like to live 50 or 100 years from now in the future. Well, not too bad either.  I am actually not aware of places who offer the full experience of living like centuries ago or decades ahead, but I bet there would be a demand for it.  Obviously the future one would rely on the known master pieces of sci-fi literature and the creativity of attraction designers.  So I expect that not too long from now there will be castles and the villages that specialize in taking you back or forward in time not only for the hour (as museums do) but for a few days with no cheating.

Eco neutral travel

Have you ever wondered how much environmental damage you do when climbing your SUV on top of a mountain or taking your family to ski? Probably not and that’s almost all right.  But think for a second what it would take to go for a weekend holiday and plan everything such as your ecological footprint would be neutral. I.e. the net environmentally impact of your visit is nil. Think about what you do during a trip and you’ll see that it pretty much take a Homo Sapiens to stay almost neutral.  Probably there would be very few travelers interested for such type of recreation, but anyways, it was worth the thought.

Leisure to do list for 2012-2013

I decided to do a selective leisure to do lists for the 2012-2013 winter seasons in Oman. I am not sure me and my family will be able to tick all of these but we will try our best. I also plan to come back with some short blogs on the travel ones. Let's see how it goes...

Travel:

• sniff the air above 3000 meters on Jebel Shams - details
• stay overnight at a local family at a traditional home in the interior - no details yet
• visit the lost village of  As Sab in Wadi An Nakhur - details
• dive at the Daymaniat Island - details
• go fishing with a local fishermen in Al Jerry Village, Musandam - no details yet
• drive up Wadi Ghul and climb to the top of the "Grand Canyon of Arabia" - details
• get some pampering in Zighi Bay Six Senses hotel - details

Sports:

• complete my first (sprint) triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) - details
• bike up the Col of Al Amirat serpentine - details
• tennis once a week - in JAS
• soccer once a week (provided my colleges are not too lazy to join) - in Bowsher at the lamp round about
• some yoga and stretching once a week - details

I could go on, but better to commit for something that is achievable. What would your list be? 

Who do we want the most?

It's always good to know who are you after, especially if you are a destination/hotel/restaurant who wants to do better. Shifting to a more leisurely mode, and without trying to be exhaustive here I listed a few types of travelers that we might or might not want to chase down with unbeatable offers.

• Business travelers: They love (hereafter "Love"): airport transfer in room rate; to be called by name at the reception; spacious lobby with free internet; loyalty programs; night club within premises. They hate (hereafter "Hate"): to press shirts; to take the shower in the tub; the 15 different light switches in the room; to explore the city and eat alone; admitting that they buy stuff at the airport that they don't need.
• MICE (conference and incentive) travelers: Love - to be overly looked after by the organizers; souvenirs; to discover the best shopping deals in town.  Hate - to be in time; agenda starting at 8.30am; to be discovered at the pool during the afternoon plenary.
• All inclusive travelers: Love - animated programs for the kids; buffet breakfast; buffet lunch; buffet dinner; buffet bar, complementary facial, more animated program for the kids. Hate - rainy weather, another family from their home town next door, to accept that "all-inclusive" package does actually not include the four-hand, water-bed, hot-stone Ayurvedic full-day treatment.
• Golf and Spa tourists: Love - to travel with buddies; nice bars around the corner; an afternoon nap; to be told "nice shot sir" and/or "you look very healthy today mam". Hate - to call home, to loose balls, the thought of settling balance at check-out; not knowing how much they'll have to wait before they can be do this again. 
• Shopping tourists: Love - mall-hotel transfer in room rate; discounts; buy-one-get-two's; junk food after a successful raid; to put on clothes they just bought; VAT rebate at the airport. Hate - the text message on their credit card balance; to see their new purchase at a discount in the next shop; to sum up the damage done; to be asked at the hotel what they have seen today?
• Active and Adventure tourist: Love - to explain what they are here for; full cover insurance; Hate - to be in need of the full cover insurance; to watch "127 hours";
• Honeymooners, "Romantourists": Love - to be upgraded as a present;  breakfast in bad;  sunrise at 10am; sunset when the hot chocolate fudge cake is served; candles in the room. Hate - to be stared at; having to pay for the scooter they crashed; one of those days.
• Backpackers: Love - to think they are soul searching; couchsurfing.org; to meet Frida the Swede PR student or Raul the Spanish photographer; Hate -  hitchhiking  in the rain; not meeting Frida or Raul; having to call mom every other day.
• Stag/Hen party goers: Love - to be stared at; to think they are less ridiculous then the groom, to watch "The Hangover" Hate - running away without paying and 2 minutes later being caught, red eye flights; to watch the "Hall Pass".

As you see these groups have very different needs and motivations for travel and consumption. So one cannot do enough to understand a bit more what makes the difference to them. Which few should we seek to target? Easier to tell which we should not.

Is golf sustainable in Oman?

There are quite a few people, especially in countries where golf has not been traditionally part of life, who see golf as a rather posh activity, the delight of the rich and famous.

If you live in GCC you might be one of them.  This however goes completely against the essence of the game as still to be found in the homeland of golf: UK and more particular Scotland.  Clubhouses there are not 40,000 square feet hospitality monuments, with luxury restaurants and massive pro shop outlets featuring the latest, most expensive gear which, contrary to a consumerist impulse, it will not make your game any better.  Courses are mainly walked, and there are no GPS screens that slow your cart down when on a slope, or giving hints on how to score a birdie.  The number of staff on such courses is typically less than the number of holes, which are designed to seamlessly integrate into their environment.

This is not to say that the new golf courses being built in the country are not good initiatives. So are OGC’s efforts to promote the game among locals, especially youth.

There is one fundamental issue that will make or break the long term sustainability of golf in these countries particularly Oman: is creating the critical mass of local players.  And this goes back to the affordability of the game.

Championship courses built from exorbitant budgets will not be able to charge green fees affordable for a wide range of locals (currently they range from RO30 to 55).  Easy courses, enjoyable for beginners, featuring affordable academy programs, perhaps even integrated in schooling curricula are key in achieving a wide reach.  Countries like Sweden and Finland have achieved remarkable results growing their golfing population by promoting the game through several 9-hole municipal courses, a sort of golf playgrounds.

On the other hand, it is well known that a destination can only claim appeal for golf tourist if it has at least 4-5 outstanding golf course in close proximity, within 30-40 minutes driving distance. Dubai ticks the box for for a long time now and results are obvious. It claims a major chunk of European golf travelers.  Morocco would be another example perhaps more comparable to Oman. Muscat is making good progress as well with two 18-hole green course open (Almouj at The Wave and Muscat Hills) and the third one opening soon (Ghala Valley 9-hole existing with another 9 under construction).

I am afraid we can hardly sit on both saddles at the same time. Focusing on establishing Muscat as a golfing destination and creating state of the art golf facilities will not be a guarantee for promoting the game of golf among locals and building a critical mass of Omani golf enthusiasts.  While having more affordable 9-hole “municipally supported” courses and driving ranges with 3-4 practice holes will achieve this result but will not mark Muscat on golfing map of GCC.  Rightly or wrongly, it seems priorities are set for the first now; hope it will yield the desired results.

Golf courses in Muscat:

Muscat Hills – 18 holes + driving range and academy. Currently temporary club house to be completed by 2015 together with a new Intercontinental Hotel on site

Almouj (The Wave) – 18 holes PGA championship course + 9 hole par 3 course to be opened in a couple of month.  Extensive driving range and state of the art academy.

Ghala Valley – 9-hole green course with second 9 under construction

Ras Al Hamra Golf Club – (PDO's golf club) currently a brown course, with greens made of oil compacted sand, new course under construction to be opened in 2014.

Omanventure

Take domestic tourism seriously. Any country that is hoping on significant GDP contribution of tourism should take this advise. In the challenging quest of attracting international visitors and banking on their spending inflow, it is easy to forget about the potential of domestic demand. This segment might not be as valuable in terms of current account contribution but it is crucial in terms of stability and sustainability of the tourism of a country. We have seen what a 9/11 or a SARS-like crisis can do for destinations relying only on international travellers (typically remote or island destinations). Those who had a solid domestic demand (e.g. Germany, France) managed to live through these much easier.

So Oman should not forget about its few hundred thousand of regular regional travelers and should perhaps focus on extracting value by offering ever more experience. There are several ways of doing this but one that recently came to my mind is the creation of a domestic tourism program, say "Omanventure".

The idea would be to set up a high number of domestic trips (from Salala and the Empty Quarter all the way up to Musandam) grouped, categorized and described in a cool website and booklet.  Each category of trip would have more concrete routes described, graded and ranked.  We could have a "wadi wanderer" a "wild off-roader" or a "family off-roader" a "nomad camper" category with 5-8 trips under each. So far not much special, quite a few books have already done this.

The essence of this program would be to actually take the whole thing online, associate a tick-list to all of these trips and to record the fact that one has done it. An online point and status system can be created (can eventually run under facebook or own site depending on resources).  Each set of trips can have a minimum of 5-6 routes to complete before you can earn that particular status of say a "coastal cruiser" or if you have a boat you can potentially become a "sealife spotter" etc.  Of course all of this can also apply to divers and come up with say “shark whisperer” or other.

Reporting completion can be done like in geotracking or on birder (bird watching) sites, namely on a self declared basis.  If someone have completed all of the given types and track can claim the "Omanventurer" status. Time limits of retaining this can also be set. etc. etc. It would also be a good way for tourism planners to track the popularity of domestic destinations and enhance the thematic nature of regions and attractions. 

Now besides the fun where's the deal? I sense in a few points, like certain regions can start promoting themselves on this platform, can set up little gift shops, coffee shop with name of track, eventually small visitor centre and benefit from the fact that those coming to their village region would most likely check this site before.

I have not fully elaborated on the idea but I feel there could be quite some potential in this. Retailers, car maker etc. can all hook up to the opportunity and created domestic marketing for the great regions of Oman. What do you think?

4x4 park = fun + benefit

Oman just simply lends itself for adventure and active tourism.  One can work on positioning the country as anything more than that but one thing for sure, Oman is just the best place to put your tracking boots at work, pull on your main sail, or try out your latest nature photography gear. And why not show your current and future customers what your new 4x4 model is capable of doing.

Being fairly accessible from two major car markets of the region UAE and Saudi and offering a nice mix for a a fun 2-day getaway, I think any of the major off road manufacturer could hugely benefit from setting up a high quality 4x4 fun part somewhere outside of Muscat.

Izuzu has such a great 4x4 park in Pattaya, Thailand and besides being a state of the art test track offers great attraction for tourism and local alike.

So if it's not obvious than here are a few arguments:

Why Oman:

• It is perceived (and it is) as the best off road destination in GCC
• Proximity to major 4xa and awd car markets
• So many perfect sites for such a park in proximity of Muscat

Advantages:

• Great complementary offering for the tourism attractions of the country
• Bodes well with the incentive tourism destination image (especially with the efforts of the ministry to promote Oman as a conference and incentive tourism destination)
• Local population love off road cars and driving, there would be a solid local demand to sustain the facility
• A major marketing boost for the brand(s) that will take the initiative and implement the idea
• Perfect opportunity for job creation (driving instructors, maintenance and admin people, booking and back office people)

So, Toyota-Lexus, Nissan-Infinity, Mitsubisi-Jeep, or Land Rover who is going to take the first call.  I think is fair to assume that the tourism authorities would be gland to hear about such an initiative.