NICK, good article. I'm intrigued by the revelation made by one of committee members ... "although the number of tourists arriving in Oman has been rising, the contribution to GDP was not".  Perhaps "the greater understanding " is that  they need more housing, hotels, marinas and even Pearls...yes Pearls with a capital "P". The tourist's may be poking their noses into Oman, then scurrying over to Dubai/ the Palm Islands, or other "hot spots" within the UAE to lodge.I'm just  wonderin, Bill of the Board.