Latest news with #AlMuroojTheater
Times of Oman
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Khareef Dhofar 2025 to kick off on 21 june with diverse tourism, cultural experience
Dubai — During a press conference on the sidelines of its participation at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, the Sultanate of Oman unveiled the activities and events of 'Kareef Dhofar 2025' season, featuring a variety of tourism and cultural experiences. The season will coincide with the astronomical start of autumn on 21 June and run until 20 September each year. Dr. Ahmed Mohsen Al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality stated that this year's main and accompanying events will be distributed across both existing sites undergoing continuous development and new locations, offering visitors exceptional experiences. He explained that the "Return of the Past" activities in this edition will feature a new approach reflecting Omani authenticity and traditional life from across the Sultanate of Oman's governorates. These will include folk art performances, heritage markets, and handicraft displays. He noted that last year's event achieved significant success and widespread acclaim from visitors and participants. He added that the event's site has undergone comprehensive upgrades to enhance its heritage character, blending the charm of the past with the spirit of the present. Further developments are planned in the coming years to establish it as a leading heritage destination. He affirmed that 'Ateen Square' will be a hub for major entertainment events and performances, building on the remarkable success of previous editions that attracted large audiences. The site will serve as a global events center, featuring an integrated shopping area, an open-air theater, a modern games zone, new light and laser shows, and contemporary dining facilities—solidifying its position as a premier cultural and entertainment destination. Dr. Al Ghassani pointed out that Awqad Park will be a family entertainment center with activities tailored for children and parents, featuring a distinct theme this year. Meanwhile, 'Up Town' in Ateen Plain will debut with diverse events catering to all age groups. He noted that Salalah Public Park will host various sports activities throughout the autumn season, with broad participation from all age groups and people with disabilities. 'Al Murooj Theater' will be dedicated to cultural events, featuring local, Gulf, and Arab theatrical performances. The municipality is expanding events to include coastal Wilayats affected by the autumn season, with diverse cultural, sports, and commercial activities. Development projects—such as enhancing natural viewpoints, tourist sites, road paving, and urban beautification—have been implemented in collaboration with government and private entities to improve visitor experiences and tourism infrastructure, he further added. On his turn, Azzan Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, affirmed the ministry's readiness to promote 'Khareef Dhofar 2025' through various programs under a coordinated plan with relevant authorities. He added that several new tourism and hotel facilities will open this year in Dhofar, where 83 licensed hotels—offering 6,537 rooms—are already prepared to welcome visitors. The ministry has launched promotional campaigns for the season, starting with its participation at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, including a press conference to announce key events. Marketing efforts include media campaigns, social media promotions, direct outreach in Gulf and regional markets, digital ads, and familiarization trips for travel agencies, media delegations, and influencers, he pointed out. He explained that special tourism packages have been designed in collaboration with local and international travel companies to enhance visitor experiences and boost inbound tourism by connecting Omani tourism entities with global markets. Government and private entities prepare annually to receive tourists during Khareef Dhofar, providing necessary services and facilities. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, visitor numbers to Dhofar during the 2024 khareef season rose by 9%, reaching approximately 1.048 million tourists. Notably, Dhofar is also distinguished by two other seasons—Al-Sarb and winter—which attract nearly half a million visitors from various world countries.
Times of Oman
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Khareef Dhofar 2025 to kick off 21 june with diverse tourism, cultural experience
Dubai — During a press conference on the sidelines of its participation at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, the Sultanate of Oman unveiled the activities and events of 'Kareef Dhofar 2025' season, featuring a variety of tourism and cultural experiences. The season will coincide with the astronomical start of autumn on 21 June and run until 20 September each year. Dr. Ahmed Mohsen Al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality stated that this year's main and accompanying events will be distributed across both existing sites undergoing continuous development and new locations, offering visitors exceptional experiences. He explained that the "Return of the Past" activities in this edition will feature a new approach reflecting Omani authenticity and traditional life from across the Sultanate of Oman's governorates. These will include folk art performances, heritage markets, and handicraft displays. He noted that last year's event achieved significant success and widespread acclaim from visitors and participants. He added that the event's site has undergone comprehensive upgrades to enhance its heritage character, blending the charm of the past with the spirit of the present. Further developments are planned in the coming years to establish it as a leading heritage destination. He affirmed that 'Ateen Square' will be a hub for major entertainment events and performances, building on the remarkable success of previous editions that attracted large audiences. The site will serve as a global events center, featuring an integrated shopping area, an open-air theater, a modern games zone, new light and laser shows, and contemporary dining facilities—solidifying its position as a premier cultural and entertainment destination. Dr. Al Ghassani pointed out that Awqad Park will be a family entertainment center with activities tailored for children and parents, featuring a distinct theme this year. Meanwhile, 'Up Town' in Ateen Plain will debut with diverse events catering to all age groups. He noted that Salalah Public Park will host various sports activities throughout the autumn season, with broad participation from all age groups and people with disabilities. 'Al Murooj Theater' will be dedicated to cultural events, featuring local, Gulf, and Arab theatrical performances. The municipality is expanding events to include coastal Wilayats affected by the autumn season, with diverse cultural, sports, and commercial activities. Development projects—such as enhancing natural viewpoints, tourist sites, road paving, and urban beautification—have been implemented in collaboration with government and private entities to improve visitor experiences and tourism infrastructure, he further added. On his turn, Azzan Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, affirmed the ministry's readiness to promote 'Khareef Dhofar 2025' through various programs under a coordinated plan with relevant authorities. He added that several new tourism and hotel facilities will open this year in Dhofar, where 83 licensed hotels—offering 6,537 rooms—are already prepared to welcome visitors. The ministry has launched promotional campaigns for the season, starting with its participation at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, including a press conference to announce key events. Marketing efforts include media campaigns, social media promotions, direct outreach in Gulf and regional markets, digital ads, and familiarization trips for travel agencies, media delegations, and influencers, he pointed out. He explained that special tourism packages have been designed in collaboration with local and international travel companies to enhance visitor experiences and boost inbound tourism by connecting Omani tourism entities with global markets. Government and private entities prepare annually to receive tourists during Khareef Dhofar, providing necessary services and facilities. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, visitor numbers to Dhofar during the 2024 khareef season rose by 9%, reaching approximately 1.048 million tourists. Notably, Dhofar is also distinguished by two other seasons—Al-Sarb and winter—which attract nearly half a million visitors from various world countries.
Observer
29-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Khareef Dhofar from June 21, Global Village to be new attraction
Muscat: The activities of Khareef Dhofar 2025 will begin on June 21 and continue until September 20, coinciding with the astronomical start of the khareef season, according to Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality. He revealed that Heritage Village will be transformed into a global village on similar lines such as Khan Al Khalili (Egypt), Souq al Hamidiya (Syria), and Souq Waqif (Doha) The Ittin Square will be a hub for global events, featuring an integrated shopping area, an open theater, a modern gaming area, and revamped lighting and laser shows. The Awqad Park will be dedicated to family entertainment, while Salalah Public Park will be dedicated to various sporting activities throughout the Khareef season. Al Murooj Theater will host cultural events with local and international participation. Events will feature a new look that embodies aspects of traditional Omani life from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman The Chairman of Dhofar Municipality indicated that the municipality will work to expand the scope of events to include some of the governorate's coastal wilayats affected by the Khareef season, with a variety of cultural, sports, and commercial activities. His Excellency Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, revealed the growth of the tourism sector in the Sultanate of #Oman, in addition to its ability to attract investments, noting that efforts are continuing to raise the sector's contribution to the tourism sector's GDP from 2.5% to 5% by 2030. This was during the press conference being held now to reveal the events of the #Dhofar_Khareef_Season for the year 2025, on the sidelines of Oman's participation in the Arabian Travel Market 2025. Azzan al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism said the tourism sector's GDP is expected to increase from 2.5% to 5% by 2030. He said a few new hotel facilities will open this year and the Dhofar Governorate currently has 83 hotel facilities with 6,537 licensed rooms of various categories. Earlier updates The Ministry of Labor in the Dhofar Governorate has said that employers or businesses will be granted temporary work permits to bring in expatriate workers during the khareef season. These facilities aim to regulate the labor market and support employers in dealing with the increased demand for services during the Khareef season. They also aim to avoid violations and penalties for employing illegal expatriate workers, and to support the temporary activities offered by Dhofar Municipality during the Dhofar khareef season. It may be noted that Khareef season in Dhofar attracted around 1,048,000 visitors between June 21 and September 21, 2024, reflecting a 9 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023, when the number of visitors reached 962,000.
