The Gulf state of Oman has slashed the cost of an entry visa in a bid to boost tourist numbers. The fee has been cut from £40 to £10 for tourists and £20 for business travellers, writes Tom Templeton .

The country had been tipped as the new winter sun hotspot to rival neighbour Dubai. But 11 September saw its tourism ambitions quashed and tour operators have faced problems enticing visitors.

For years Oman was seen as the hermit of the region, with tourism long discouraged as a 'threat to traditional values', but recently all this has changed and the policy has been to attract visitors to the thousands of miles of mountain, desert and coastline.

Mac Campbell from British Airways Holidays said: 'We knew we needed to educate people about Oman but 11 September caused travellers to the region to stick with what they knew, which was Dubai. The nightly news showing the Royal Navy moored off Oman didn't help either.'

Campbell added: 'It is very helpful to have the fee cut. However, ideally they would remove the anxiety for the traveller of filling out forms at the airport, and waive it altogether.'

Ellis Jones of Kuoni said: 'Oman has already taken measures to encourage tourism by making the visa between Dubai and itself free. I expect an immediate reaction to the price cut, with increasing interest.'

Visas can be bought from the Oman Embassy in London (020 7225 0001). For further information on travel in Oman visit www.oman.org.

Kuoni Worldwide (01306 747002)
BA Holidays (0870 442 3820)