BEACHER, NOT only that ..and I hate to mention the "Y" word, but Dhofar is the closest region in Oman to Yemen, that bastian of peace and tranquility. I'll bet that that area might be the last place in Oman that tourists are clamoring to visit! I would think that value and safety might just favor those areas that are closest to the  UAE ...I'm just "thinkin". Bill of the Board.