Robert Karjel, a Swedish tourist, and his fiancée have been trekking in the popular Hajar Mountains of Oman for over a week. As they prepared for their return home, they noticed that hotels in Muscat had suddenly filled up, contrary to the sleepy atmosphere in Oman during Ramadan. Karjel explained that the influx seems to be driven by tensions in the region, particularly a recent conflict between the US and Iran, prompting many travelers to seek safety in Oman.

According to Karjel, many tourists are coming from Dubai, where Iran has conducted attacks on American military bases in retaliation for US and Israeli actions. This has created a sense of urgency among families, who seem to be hastily packing their belongings and traveling by car across the border to Oman in search of a safer environment. This reflects the impact that geopolitical tensions can have on tourist behavior and regional travel dynamics.

Moreover, the situation has affected air travel, with numerous airlines canceling flights from major airports in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. Tourists are now struggling to find flights out of Muscat, as it is a smaller airport with fewer options. The recent events highlight the fragility of tourism in regions affected by political instability and the rapid changes that can occur in travel plans due to such conflicts.