Oman has received a new travel advisory: what to check before traveling to Muscat and Salalah

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Marta Skylar
Aviation News Editor
28.07.2026 00:10

Oman has received a new travel advisory: what to check before traveling to Muscat and Salalah

The USA updated its travel recommendations for Oman to "reconsider necessity of travel" on June 27, and Canada, the UK, and Australia also advise closely monitoring the security situation in the region. For tourists, this does not mean an automatic ban on vacationing in the country, but it changes the approach to planning: before booking, it is worth checking official advice, insurance terms, Persian Gulf routes, flight status, and the ability to quickly change plans.

Oman is entering an important period for tourism. The Khareef season has started in Dhofar, which lasts from June 21 to September 21 and traditionally attracts guests with cooler weather, green landscapes around Salalah, family events, cultural programs, and demand from Gulf countries. That is why the new advisory is important not only for US citizens. It is a signal for all travelers who consider Oman as a summer destination, a transit point, or part of a combined trip through Muscat, Doha, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi.

The main change is that the US Department of State on June 27 pointed to risks of terrorism and armed conflict and allowed the departure of non-essential US government employees and their family members from Oman. The recommendation specifically notes that the border area with Yemen remains a zone where one should not travel. The American side also reminds of the risks to civil aviation near Yemen and possible disruptions of commercial flights in case of escalation of the regional situation.

What exactly changed in the risk assessment

The "reconsider necessity of travel" level is not a complete entry ban and does not mean that Oman's airports have stopped operating. It is rather an official warning that a regular tourist plan can no longer be considered a routine trip without additional preparation. For a vacation, business trip, or transit, one must assess whether the trip is truly necessary right now, how flexible the tickets and accommodation are, whether the insurance covers evacuation, flight delays, and force majeure, and whether there is a backup route in case of airspace closure or flight cancellation.

Canadian recommendations, updated on June 25, also urge exercising increased caution in Oman due to the unstable security situation in the region. They specifically mention the risk of missiles, drones, and other projectiles that could affect travel, including through flight cancellations. The UK does not formulate a general ban on visiting Oman, but advises monitoring local reports, keeping documents ready, reviewing departure plans, and avoiding areas near military or security facilities. Australia, for its part, advises exercising a high level of caution due to the unpredictable situation in the region and additionally reminds of seasonal weather risks: monsoons, floods, cyclones, extreme heat, dust and sandstorms.

Why this is important right now

The news coincides with the start of the Khareef Dhofar 2026 tourist season. The local program includes over 125 cultural, artistic, sporting, and entertainment events in Salalah and other areas of Dhofar. For Oman, this is one of the key seasons of domestic and regional tourism: during a period when most Gulf countries suffer from summer heat, Dhofar becomes a greener and cooler destination for family vacations thanks to the monsoon climate.

This combination makes the situation complex for travelers. On one hand, the tourist infrastructure is preparing to receive guests, airlines are increasing demand for the destination, and seasonal events create an obvious reason for travel. On the other hand, official advice from several governments reminds that regional security can change quickly, and the tourist season does not cancel the risks to aviation, ports, border areas, and large crowds of people.

For the reader, this means that Oman should not be automatically crossed off the map, but one should not book a trip as easily as in a quiet season. The safest editorial assessment now is this: the decision must be individual, based on fresh official recommendations, and take into account not only the beauty of the route, but also the ability to quickly change plans.

What to check before booking

First of all, you should open the official recommendations of the country whose passport you hold, as well as the advice of the state where you reside. Warning levels may differ: one country may advise to "reconsider necessity of travel," another to "exercise a high level of caution." For insurance companies and tour operators, the exact wording of government advice often has practical significance, so it should be known before paying for the tour.

  • Check if the insurance covers medical assistance, delays, cancellations, forced route changes, and evacuation.
  • Choose tickets and hotels with flexible change or refund conditions, especially if the trip falls during the peak of Khareef.
  • Do not plan land routes to areas near the border with Yemen and avoid independent trips to remote places without local security checks.
  • Before departure, check the flight status, terminal, baggage rules, transit requirements, and possible airline route changes.
  • Allow extra time for layovers at regional hubs, as security or air restrictions may affect not only flights to Oman.

If you are flying through Muscat, it is useful to check the Muscat Airport (MCT) page and the MCT online board in advance. For an overnight stay after a late arrival or before an early flight, it is worth separately evaluating hotels near Muscat Airport, and for the first leg of the route, transfers and taxis from MCT. If the trip is built through neighboring hubs, it also makes sense to check flights through Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), or Abu Dhabi (AUH), but do not treat an alternative hub as a guarantee against delays.

How this affects trips to Salalah and the Khareef season

Salalah and Dhofar remain the main magnets of summer tourism in Oman. However, during the popular season, the dependence on precise planning increases: hotels can quickly become more expensive, popular locations become crowded, and bad weather or changes in flight schedules hit short trips harder. If you are planning Khareef, you should book accommodation only through reliable channels, confirm the address and check-in conditions, not rely on unofficial promises on social media, and have a backup plan in case of flight rescheduling.

Weather risks for Dhofar differ from security risks, but for the tourist, they form one practical picture. The monsoon makes the region attractive, but can create slippery roads, fog, local flooding, and more difficult conditions for trips to the mountains or waterfalls. Those planning car rentals, excursions, hiking, or trips outside the city need not only beautiful routes, but also up-to-date information from local authorities, guides, or hotels.

What to do for those who have already bought tickets

If tickets and hotels are already paid for, the first step is not to panic, but to gather facts about the specific trip. Check if the flight status has changed, whether the airline has rescheduled the departure time, what the rules are for changing the date, and whether the insurance covers the decision not to travel due to a government warning. In package tours, it is important to ask the tour operator if there are changes in the program, if alternative routes are provided, and what is considered a basis for a free rescheduling.

Tourists who have a layover in Oman on the way to another country should consider transit as carefully as as a full trip. Even if you do not leave the airport, a flight delay or a change in the air route can break the next booking. Check the minimum connection time, airline rebooking conditions, the transit zone rules, the availability of a hotel at or near the airport, as well as passport and visa requirements if you have to leave the transit zone.

Conclusion

The fresh warning regarding Oman is not a signal that the country is closed to tourists, and not a reason to draw loud conclusions about the entire Khareef season. But it is a clear reminder that travel to the Persian Gulf region in the summer of 2026 requires more careful preparation than usual. The smartest approach is to check official sources immediately before payment and before departure, avoid border and sensitive zones, allow extra time for flights and layovers, choose flexible bookings and not skimp on insurance.

For the Oman tourism market, the main task now is to maintain the trust of travelers during an important season, without downplaying the risks. For the traveler, the main thing is to separate the interest in the destination and the readiness to go right now. If the trip is well-prepared, the route passes through the main tourist areas, and insurance and tickets allow for maneuver, Oman can remain a realistic option. If the plan depends on rigid connections, non-refundable bookings, or trips to remote areas without support, it is better to postpone the decision until the situation stabilizes.