Again, in a manner typical of the region as a whole, Oman has largely fuelled growth over much of the past 50 years through the extraction and export of oil, which has transformed it into a relatively developed, if sparsely populated, country. Tourism-wise, Oman has for a long time been off the map, a forgotten part of the Middle East languishing at the bottom of the Arabian peninsula beside equally infrequently-travelled Yemen. Oman has though put much greater effort into promoting its tourism industry in recent years and the truth is there is plenty to talk about. Visitors are comprised especially of those from neighbouring countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, who are mostly used to dry desert scenery. Oman’s capital Muscat is one of the most ancient in the region, dating back nearly 2,000 years. Today it has not wholly embraced the trend towards glistening towers of concrete and steel as often seen in other big Arab cities, instead insisting mainly on low-rise development in the traditional, bleached white style. As this is an Arab country, Westerners are warned that Oman is a moderately strict adherent to Islamic principles; meaning that the main religious holidays are celebrated with abstinence and alcohol is only available selectively such as in international hotels and upscale restaurants in big cities. | 
