It’s safe to say the Sultanate of Oman is on the traveler’s radar screen. An oasis of stability in the Middle East, Oman is appreciated for its hospitality and breathtaking landscapes: fjords and mountainous peaks abutting the pristine beaches on the Arabian Sea. Tourism infrastructure is sound, and luxury hotels abound. (The government has embarked on a campaign to expand the tourism sector and diversify the oil-dependent economy; the goal is to attract 12 million upscale visitors annually by 2020.)

Big news out of Oman: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company just announced that it will assume management of the legendary Al Bustan Palace in the country’s capital city of Muscat starting this Friday, July 1, 2011. All the current employees will be retained by The Ritz-Carlton under the new management. Set against a dramatic mountainous backdrop overlooking the Gulf of Oman, the luxury hotel recently underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment. The “Jewel of the Sultanate” isn’t lacking when it comes to recreational facilities; we’re talking five pools, a spa, water sports center, and a Tennis Village. The hotel—surrounded by 200 acres of landscaped gardens—also has seven restaurants and bars.