Dhofar Khareef season sparks commercial boom across markets and tourist hubs
From traditional souqs to modern malls, commercial activities are thriving. Shops offering handicrafts and local delicacies are seeing strong demand, alongside increased footfall at restaurants, cafés, hotels, and various entertainment and tourism facilities.
Several small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners told the Oman News Agency that the Khareef Season offers a crucial window for growing sales and expanding operations. They also highlighted the importance of promoting and supporting locally made products to meet visitors' expectations.
Nour bint Ali Al Yafei, owner of Bint Al Janoub, shared that her home-based business in incense and perfumery – with over 30 years of experience – has evolved to include women's clothing and high-quality Dhofari products made from natural ingredients. 'We opened our first branch in Salalah in 2020, and a second in the Al Hafa area in 2024 to meet growing demand, especially during the Khareef tourist season, when gifts are in high demand,' she said.
Rami bin Muslim Al Kathiri, founder of Dou Chocolate and Flowers, said that his business experiences high footfall during the season due to its diverse offerings – including premium chocolates, fresh flowers, and seasonal gifts. He described the venture as a successful SME model that adapts to tourist seasons and strengthens local commerce.
Aqeel bin Alawi Al Marzaa, founder of Makkah Perfumes, explained that his enterprise started with a vision of quality and heritage, drawing on Omani frankincense. Today, it operates over 15 branches across the Sultanate. 'We own a specialised factory for extracting and exporting frankincense oil. Alongside integrated perfume production lines catering to Gulf preferences, we have developed over 150 perfume products,' he noted. He added that tourists show strong interest in locally crafted perfumes for their durability, quality, and authentic aromas.
On the culinary front, Tariq bin Salem Al Hosni, owner of Al Hosni Omani Sweets, said his decades-old brand has expanded to over 10 branches within Oman and several more across the GCC. He observed that tourists are eager to try and learn how to prepare traditional Omani sweets. 'Our sweets reflect true Omani hospitality and are increasingly sought-after during tourist seasons,' he said. The business was recognised by the Guinness World Records for producing the largest cake shaped like the Sultanate's map on Oman's 45th National Day.
Many tourists and visitors now consider the Dhofar Khareef season a favourite destination and a key commercial hub.
Hilal bin Khalaf Al Sharaqi underlined the role of emerging businesses in reviving the local market by offering products and services that align with the governorate's identity and enhance the tourist experience. He called for greater institutional support to ensure these ventures thrive.
Abdullah bin Salem Al Ghaithi praised Hafa Beach Market for its seamless blend of tradition and modernity. 'Perfumes, incense, sweets, and handicrafts fill the area with a wonderful ambience. Light rain makes the shopping experience truly unique,' he said.
Majid bin Abdullah Al Shariqi noted the strong demand during Khareef for seasonal clothing, tropical fruits like coconut, papaya, pomegranate, banana, and mango, as well as camping and travel gear. He described the season as a transformative period for the local economy.
Abdullah bin Amer Al Eisaei, a tourist from the UAE, highlighted the quality of local products and the well-organised markets in Salalah – especially Al Hafa Beach Market – as key attractions. He praised the transparency in pricing and the presence of regulatory oversight, adding that Dhofar's moderate climate remains its most outstanding feature during this time of year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
42 minutes ago
- Times of Oman
Foundation stone laid for OMR80mn tourism complex in Salalah
Salalah: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism celebrated on Monday the laying of the foundation stone for an integrated tourism complex in the Junuf area of Salalah, with an estimated investment of OMR80 million, as part of efforts to develop tourism infrastructure in the Dhofar Governorate. The project is considered a landmark tourism venture due to its prime location and comprehensive facilities in tourism and hospitality. It is being implemented in partnership with Al-Wathba Hospitality Company under a usufruct agreement signed in February 2025. The first phase of the project, scheduled for completion within 30 months, includes the construction of a five-star hotel with 124 guest units, a fully equipped marina with restaurants and cafes, a beach club, a health club, and a main entrance gate for the complex. Azzan Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, emphasised the project's importance in supporting small and medium enterprises, generating direct and indirect job opportunities, enhancing local content, and providing training and qualification programs for Omani citizens in tourism and hospitality. He added that the project represents a qualitative addition to efforts aimed at developing tourist destinations in the Sultanate of Oman, particularly in Dhofar, which boasts rich natural and environmental diversity. He noted that such projects reflect the government's commitment to economic diversification through investment in the tourism sector. On his turn, Khalid Abdullah Al Abri, Director General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate, stated in his speech that the new tourism project is among the most prominent in the governorate in terms of investment volume and diversity of components. He explained that the first phase will include a five-star hotel and a yacht marina, one of the largest in Oman, along with a fully integrated beachfront, contributing to the enhancement of the governorate's tourism infrastructure. He highlighted the efforts made by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in recent years to promote Dhofar as a tourist destination by opening new tourism markets and direct flight routes, which contributed to a 9% increase in visitor numbers during the 2024 Khareef (monsoon) season and an 18% rise in the winter season compared to the previous year. The ceremony featured a promotional video showcasing Dhofar Governorate and another presenting the project's components, followed by the laying of the foundation stone by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism. It is worth noting that the project represents a significant addition to Oman's tourism sector, offering integrated facilities, promising investment opportunities, and strengthening public-private partnerships, all of which contribute to boosting tourism activity in Dhofar Governorate.
Times of Oman
42 minutes ago
- Times of Oman
Heritage Ministry inaugurates Meteorite Corner at Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism launches the Meteorite Corner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Muscat Governorate. This initiative aligns with the Ministry's efforts to utilize geological heritage and enhance the tourism and cultural experience in the Sultanate of Oman. The corner features a collection of rare meteorite samples from the "Jiddat Al Harasis" strewn field, offering hotel guests a unique opportunity to view them up close and learn about their history and scientific value. It also highlights Oman's commitment to preserving these meteorites as an important cultural legacy. Among the exhibits is a distinctive sample from Jiddat al Harasis 091, which represents the largest meteorite fall discovered in Oman to date. Its strewn field extends approximately 52 kilometres, with over 700 collected pieces totaling around 4,600 kilograms. Documented scientific studies indicate that this fall at its original site occurred over 12,600 years ago. The corner also includes a meteorite sample from Jiddat al Harasis 073, classified as an L6 chondrite stony meteorite. This is considered the second-largest meteorite fall discovered in Oman so far. Scientific studies suggest that this meteorite traveled through the asteroid belt in space, weighing over 20 tonnes, and is estimated to have fallen at its original site 15,600 years ago, during the Paleolithic era. A total of 3,638 pieces from this fall have been documented, with an aggregate weight of 620.9 kilograms and a strewn field extending 25.8 kilometres. The display of these meteorites aims to educate hotel guests, both local and international, about the significance of meteorites, their scientific and historical value, and the legal frameworks and legislations governing them under the Cultural Heritage Law. This initiative emphasizes meteorites as crucial evidence of the solar system's formation, while also showcasing Oman's efforts in collecting, preserving, and studying meteorite samples. This pioneering initiative represents a step towards fostering more partnerships between the government and private sectors to showcase Oman's unique natural treasures on diverse and modern platforms. It aligns with the country's vision to integrate culture and science into a comprehensive and holistic tourism experience.
Times of Oman
an hour ago
- Times of Oman
Oman extends labour status correction period until December
Muscat: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) has announced a five-month extension of the grace period for correcting labour status, pushing the deadline from the previously announced date of July 31, 2025, to December 31, 2025. In a statement, the Ministry explained that this decision was made in response to numerous requests from individuals, employers, and workers seeking more time to complete the necessary legal procedures. The extension aims to provide the largest possible number of beneficiaries with an opportunity to regularise their status. The MoL stressed the importance for all concerned parties to utilize this "additional and final grace period" to rectify their status in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. The Ministry has directed all relevant departments and entities to take the necessary measures to ensure the smooth implementation of this extension in line with the public interest. This decision means that individuals and companies now have until the end of the year to complete procedures such as renewing expired labour cards, transferring worker services, or settling other outstanding obligations without penalty. The Ministry has made it clear that this is a final extension, and non-compliance after December 31, 2025, will lead to legal and administrative consequences.
