Oman Heritage & Tourism: Oman has strengthened the legal framework for protecting its cultural heritage, with Royal Decree No. 62/2026 amending the Cultural Heritage Law to better cover tangible and intangible heritage and expand the “competent authority” role to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. Duqm Growth & Jobs: In Duqm’s Special Economic Zone, OPAZ hosted SQU students for internship briefings, while FMC-Ferrometalco (Egypt) signed to build a major steel fabrication facility at SEZAD, targeting 25,000 tonnes of steel structures annually. Muscat Visitor Experience: Rustaq’s City Walk project is now about 25% complete, with retail, restaurants, a private clinic, and a motel planned to boost family-friendly tourism in South Batinah. Regional Travel Risk Watch: Amid US-Iran tensions near the Strait of Hormuz, shipping and aviation disruption fears continue, including reports of attacks on tankers off Oman and renewed calls for unimpeded navigation—an issue that can quickly ripple into Gulf travel plans. Business Travel: dnata Travel Group appointed Maura Geertsma to lead corporate travel across the GCC, including Oman, aiming to expand duty-of-care and digital travel services.