Saudi tourism delegation explores Dhofar in promotional visit
Salalah – As part of its ongoing efforts to promote the Dhofar Khareef 2025, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism organised an introductory trip for Saudi tourism agency representatives to Dhofar governorate from July 8 to 13.
The initiative comes under the umbrella of the ministry's wider 'Make Your Summer Green' campaign, which targets Gulf markets to showcase Oman's unique summer tourism offerings—particularly the cool, lush appeal of Dhofar during the khareef season.
The delegation toured various natural, historical, and cultural landmarks in and around Salalah, engaging with local experiences and tourism operators. The visit aimed to familiarise Saudi tourism stakeholders with Dhofar's potential as a destination for Gulf travelers, encouraging future cooperation in tourism promotion and package development.
The ministry stressed that such trips help build cross-border tourism ties and position Oman – especially Dhofar – as a top regional choice for summer holidays, thanks to its cool climate, natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage.
The 'Make Your Summer Green' campaign will continue throughout the season, with further tours planned from other Gulf countries.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Monday column: The harmony between Omanis and expatriates
The harmony between Omanis and expatriates is a key ingredient that makes Oman stand out compared with most countries of the world. There is a reason for it. Centuries of integration with different cultures of the world from different continents is deeply instilled in the blood of all Omanis. It is the makeup of their self-esteem and behavior. Most Omanis, with a few exception, tolerate the traditions of people living around them. It has to be and the statistics prove it. Almost half of the roughly five million people in Oman are expatriates and their families. We go out with our business in the streets and everyone is complete at ease with each other. There is no behavioral segregation or even mental isolation out there. It is exactly the same in the business circles with no exceptions. And this comes to the topic of tourism in Oman. Tourists 'feel complete at home', to quote one of them that I talked to this month, when they come to visit Oman. He and his family were getting 'smiles' and even a 'little bow' wherever they met people. Touring Oman was a complete harmony for them, to exactly quote what they said to me. I know that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is promoting Oman a lot. But perhaps it needs a little twist to get a bigger number into the country. Oman roughly gets about 3 million foreign tourists annually flying into the country in different seasons of the year. We can definitely get a lot more. Apart from our natural instincts of integration with different cultures, Oman is an exceptional country. I know this has been said before but it has not really been promoted in the right perspective. First, we should ask what makes Oman different from other nations of the world, apart from its people. Yes, we have beautiful areas scattered around the country, such as mountains, beaches, desert, historical towns and the rest. But we all miss the multiculturalism. We already have festivals in different towns in Oman, such as in Salalah and Jabal Al Akhdhar. But we need more events in different parts of the country that promote different cultures of people who live in Oman. These events can be in different parts Oman and in permanent fixtures. Why is this important? Because Oman hosts different nationalities of people who are working here. Also, we get different nationalities from tourism. They would identify themselves in these events. Moreover, word will go out globally that Oman is promoting their cultures and that will attract more tourists. The media of the world will take notice and start covering these multiculturalism events on regular basis. For those who would question this idea will need to look down at the history of the country. Oman, as a seafaring nation of the past, their people travelled in many nations when airplanes were not even invented. They introduced their culture in those countries and left a deep imprint that is still evident now. Omanis also embraced different cultures when they settled in those countries. They even imported back home some of the multiculturalism. So, it is time to celebrate the past and learn from it and use it to the advantage of attracting more tourists to Oman.
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
Dhofar blooms as khareef season brings new charm
Muscat: While much of the Gulf is engulfed in the peak of summer heat, southern Oman quietly welcomes its most beautiful guest: Khareef. But Dhofar's monsoon is unlike any other. It doesn't bring parched leaves or arid winds — instead, it arrives as a gentle whisper of mist and drizzle, waking the land into vibrant life, according to visitors. 'This is something out of a fairytale,' says Elise Kramer, a tourist from Germany visiting Dhofar for the first time. 'I read about khareef, but nothing prepared me for the serenity and surreal beauty I'm witnessing here.' According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, over 820,000 tourists visited Dhofar during the 2024 khareef season — a 15% increase from the previous year. Of those, GCC nationals made up more than 65%, while international interest from Europe and Asia continues to rise. The temperate climate, lush hills and soft monsoon rains attract families, nature lovers and photographers alike, all eager to escape the searing summer elsewhere in the region. Fog-draped hills and softly gushing waterfalls are among Dhofar's most iconic scenes. Locations such as Wadi Darbat and Ayn Athum offer breathtaking experiences. Hala Morsi, a visitor from Cairo, said: 'The moment I stepped out of the airport and felt the cool breeze, I knew this place was special. I've never seen such rich greenery in the Gulf. It's peaceful, pure and soul-refreshing.' Data from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism confirms that Salalah's sites are among the most visited during khareef, consistently drawing record numbers each year. No trip to Dhofar is complete without experiencing its ancient gift to the world: frankincense. This aromatic resin, harvested from native Boswellia trees, has been traded for millennia across the Middle East, Africa and Europe. At Salalah's traditional souqs, tourists can witness frankincense being burned, smell its earthy arom, and purchase raw resin or fragrant oils. Maria Lopez, a tourist from Spain, describes it as magical: 'It's like stepping back in time. The scent is powerful, sacred even. I bought several packs and oils to take back to Madrid. This isn't just a souvenir — it's history in a jar.' Tourism-linked sales of frankincense products saw a 30% increase in the last khareef season, reflecting its cultural significance and growing international demand. Khareef isn't only about misty mountains — it's also a celebration of Dhofari heritage. At Al Haffa Market, visitors are drawn to local handicrafts, spices and traditional clothing, all offered with a generous dose of Omani hospitality. Amani al Zubaidi from Saudi Arabia said: 'I loved the souqs — the colours, the people, the scents. You don't feel like a tourist here, you feel like a welcomed guest.' Cafés, boutique stays and seasonal festivals help bring Dhofar's cultural spirit to life during khareef, turning tourism into a truly immersive experience.
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
73 new job titles approved in hospitality sector: MHT
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT), in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour (MolL), has approved 73 new job titles specific to the hotel and tourism resort sector. The initiative is part of broader efforts to organise and develop the tourism industry and enhance the readiness of the labour market to accommodate qualified and skilled national talent. The new titles have been incorporated into the Unified Gulf Manual for Occupational Classification and Description. They have been categorised according to the officially recognised economic activities within the tourism sector, covering hotels, resorts, hotel facilities, rest houses, chalets, heritage inns, and guesthouses. The move offers employers and tourism establishments a broader and more precise set of options to define their workforce needs, contributing to improved institutional performance and the development of human resources in this vital sector. The approved list includes a variety of administrative and technical positions such as: General Manager of Hotel, General Manager of Resort, Resort Manager, Procurement Director, Safety and Security Director, IT Director, Security Director, Finance Director, Events Coordinator, Reservations Supervisor, Airport Services Representative, Guest Relations Clerk, and Audit Supervisor. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism stressed that this step reflects the ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Labour to support development in the tourism sector and create an environment conducive to growth and investment. The initiative is expected to meet the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which identifies tourism as a key pillar of economic diversification.
