Is Oman Still Safe to Visit in 2026? A Clear-Eyed Guide for Travellers and Travel Agents

The situation across the Middle East has shifted significantly in recent months. We think you deserve a straight answer — not a deflection. Here's what's actually happening, what it means for your clients, and how we're operating on the ground.

The Question We're Hearing Most Right Now

If you've been fielding calls from nervous clients or quietly wondering whether to pause your Oman offering, you're not alone. Since the escalation of hostilities between the United States and Iran in early 2026, and the subsequent travel advisories issued by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the question of Oman's safety has moved from background noise to the front of every conversation.

We want to address it honestly, because we believe that's the only way to serve you and your clients well.

What the FCDO Advisory Actually Says

The FCDO currently advises British nationals in Oman to exercise increased caution. It's worth reading that phrase carefully — this is not an "advise against travel" notice, and it is not an instruction to leave. It is a recommendation to remain aware, monitor local authority guidance, and take sensible precautions.

The specific concern raised relates to limited drone and missile activity that has been reported in the commercial and industrial port areas of Duqm, Salalah, and Sohar. These are working ports — significant infrastructure zones on Oman's industrial coastline. They are not, by any measure, tourist destinations. The winding lanes of Mutrah Souq, the terraced mountains of Jebel Akhdar, the vast stillness of Wahiba Sands — none of these areas are referenced in the advisory, because none of them have been affected.

The distinction matters enormously for anyone making a decision about travel.

Understanding Oman's Position in the Region

Oman has maintained a policy of diplomatic neutrality for decades. It does not take sides in regional conflicts. It has historically served as a back-channel mediator between nations that cannot speak directly, and that role has earned it a quiet but profound respect from all sides of any given dispute. This is not new — it is a defining feature of Omani foreign policy that has remained consistent across generations of leadership.

That neutrality does not make Oman immune to the ripple effects of regional tension. No country in the vicinity is. But it does mean Oman is not a target, and that distinction is meaningful when you are assessing risk.

What Is Still Fully Operational

The vast majority of what Arabica Orient Tours offers remains completely unaffected. Muscat's hotels, restaurants, and cultural sites are open and welcoming guests. Flights from the UK through Oman Air and other carriers continue to operate. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, Nizwa Fort, the wadis, the rose gardens of Jebel Akhdar, Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, and the desert camps of Wahiba Sands are all accessible and running normally. We have ground teams across all of these regions, and they are active.

We are in daily contact with our local partners, monitoring both official channels and on-the-ground conditions. Where we have concerns, we adapt. That is what a responsible DMC does.

How to Stay Informed

For travel agents and travellers who want to monitor the situation themselves, these are the sources we recommend checking regularly. The FCDO travel advice page for Oman is updated when new information warrants it, and signing up for email alerts ensures you receive any changes as they happen. Oman's Civil Aviation Authority publishes updates on flight operations and airspace. The Royal Oman Police provides guidance relevant to in-country movements. Airlines operating the Muscat route — including Oman Air and British Airways — publish their own status updates and may adjust schedules with notice.

The most important thing is to stay with authoritative sources. Social media moves fast and is not always accurate in either direction — it will both overstate and understate risk depending on who is posting.

What We're Telling Our Partners

We are not telling our agency partners to stop selling Oman. We are telling them to sell it thoughtfully, with clear communication, appropriate travel insurance, and confidence in a DMC that is present, responsive, and honest. We are actively adapting itineraries where sensible — keeping clients in the heart of Oman's cultural and natural landscapes and well away from industrial zones — and we are building flexibility into every program we run right now.

Oman is still one of the most remarkable destinations in the world. The mountains haven't moved. The desert is still there. And the warmth of Omani hospitality, which has always been the thing clients remember longest, has not changed at all.

If you'd like to discuss what your current bookings look like, or how to position Oman to clients who are asking hard questions, we're here.

At Arabica Orient Tours, we believe the best thing we can offer right now is honesty and expertise in equal measure. Reach out to the team and let's talk through what's right for your clients.

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