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MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2016
OMAN
We have received a few cancellations to Thailand, especially in case of families travelling together Raji Demonte, general manager, Universal Travel and Tourism in Oman
TOURISM
Blasts shake confidence of Oman tourists to Thailand MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON
mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Thailand has been an increasingly popular destination for the people of Oman but the recent bomb blasts have shaken travellers’ confidence, prompting a few to change their travel plans. Travel agents have reported a dip as some tourists have been cancelling or rescheduling their trip to Thailand after the series of explosions in five different provinces of the Kingdom last week. “We have received a few can-
cellations to Thailand, especially in case of families travelling together,” Raji Demonte, general manager at the Universal Travel and Tourism in Oman, told the Times of Oman. Many people are changing their destination, opting to go to some other country because of the attack in Thailand, another travel agent said. “We haven’t got any cancellation so far but people who booked tickets to Thailand have changed their destination to Georgia and some other places,” Santhosh Kanakandath, managing director
at Assaraya Travel and Tourism, told the Times of Oman. “Some are postponing their travel to later dates,” he added. “People who are going for medical treatment haven’t cancelled their travel so far but some who are planning to spend their leisure time have either changed the date of their travel or cancelled their booking,” another travel agent in Ruwi said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued any travel advice to the people of Oman in Thailand, according to an official from the Ministry. >See also Page 10 RAID
Cars modified for drifting seized in Liwa Times News Service MUSCAT: Cars modified for ‘drifting’, made popular by the movie franchise The Fast and the Furious, have been seized by police in Oman. In a raid on a garage in Liwa, 14 vehicles were seized by the Royal Oman Police represented by North Al Batinah Police. Those arrested were transferred to the Public Prosecutor for further legal action. FOILED
Smuggling bids Times News Service MUSCAT: Customs officials foiled two attempts to smuggle 104 bottles of alcohol at Al Dara and Khatmat Milaha borders, Royal Oman Police (ROP) reported on Saturday.