Latest news with #Khareef
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Dhofar gears up for khareef with 100 tourist sites, 7,300 rooms
SALALAH - Dhofar Governorate is gearing up for its signature tourism season with a marked increase in hospitality capacity, as the number of licensed establishments reaches 100, offering 7,300 rooms, the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed. The expansion — driven by new hotel openings in Salalah, Taqah and Mirbat — is part of wider preparations for Khareef 2025, a key period for tourism in Oman. 'This capacity growth reflects our strategic focus on readiness and service excellence,' said Abdullah bin Omar al Sabbah Baaboud, Assistant Director of the Promotion Department in Dhofar. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, he noted, is working in tandem with stakeholders to upgrade tourism infrastructure and attract further investment into the hospitality sector. These efforts align with Oman Vision 2040, which positions tourism as a vital contributor to economic diversification and local development. According to official data, Dhofar welcomed 1.048 million visitors during the Khareef 2024 season, a 9 per cent year-on-year increase. Omani visitors surged by 70.1 per cent to over 734,500, while Gulf visitors rose 16.9 per cent, reaching nearly 177,000. Visitors from other Arab nations also posted a modest increase of 3.6 per cent. By end-2024, Dhofar had 83 licensed hotel properties offering 6,537 rooms. The additional supply — set to reach 100 hotels by summer 2025 — aims to meet rising demand and expand accommodation options for a diverse visitor base. The 2024 season also featured a significantly extended calendar of events, running for 90 consecutive days. Activities ranged from cultural showcases and family entertainment to sporting attractions such as the Salalah International Cycling Tour, drawing broad audience engagement across the governorate. The ministry implemented targeted marketing campaigns, participated in international travel exhibitions; and organised media and trade familiarisation trips. Social media outreach also intensified, partnering with regional influencers to reinforce Dhofar's profile as a leading monsoon destination. Officials expect further growth in visitor arrivals over the coming seasons, supported by continuous infrastructure upgrades and broader investment in tourism services. With Khareef tourism now a centrepiece of Dhofar's economic strategy, the governorate is on track to solidify its standing as a premier destination in the Arabian Peninsula. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Dhofar gears up for khareef with 100 tourist sites, 7,300 rooms
SALALAH, June 7 Dhofar Governorate is gearing up for its signature tourism season with a marked increase in hospitality capacity, as the number of licensed establishments reaches 100, offering 7,300 rooms, the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed. The expansion — driven by new hotel openings in Salalah, Taqah and Mirbat — is part of wider preparations for Khareef 2025, a key period for tourism in Oman. 'This capacity growth reflects our strategic focus on readiness and service excellence,' said Abdullah bin Omar al Sabbah Baaboud, Assistant Director of the Promotion Department in Dhofar. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, he noted, is working in tandem with stakeholders to upgrade tourism infrastructure and attract further investment into the hospitality sector. These efforts align with Oman Vision 2040, which positions tourism as a vital contributor to economic diversification and local development. According to official data, Dhofar welcomed 1.048 million visitors during the Khareef 2024 season, a 9 per cent year-on-year increase. Omani visitors surged by 70.1 per cent to over 734,500, while Gulf visitors rose 16.9 per cent, reaching nearly 177,000. Visitors from other Arab nations also posted a modest increase of 3.6 per cent. By end-2024, Dhofar had 83 licensed hotel properties offering 6,537 rooms. The additional supply — set to reach 100 hotels by summer 2025 — aims to meet rising demand and expand accommodation options for a diverse visitor base. The 2024 season also featured a significantly extended calendar of events, running for 90 consecutive days. Activities ranged from cultural showcases and family entertainment to sporting attractions such as the Salalah International Cycling Tour, drawing broad audience engagement across the governorate. The ministry implemented targeted marketing campaigns, participated in international travel exhibitions; and organised media and trade familiarisation trips. Social media outreach also intensified, partnering with regional influencers to reinforce Dhofar's profile as a leading monsoon destination. Officials expect further growth in visitor arrivals over the coming seasons, supported by continuous infrastructure upgrades and broader investment in tourism services. With Khareef tourism now a centrepiece of Dhofar's economic strategy, the governorate is on track to solidify its standing as a premier destination in the Arabian Peninsula.
Observer
25-05-2025
- Observer
Ambulance service launched in Rub Al Khali border checkpoint
IBRI: The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority on Sunday inaugurated ambulance services at its Rub Al Khali Border Checkpoint centre, as part of its strategic plan to expand services in vital and border areas while enhancing operational readiness and emergency response efficiency. The launch coincides with peak seasonal traffic during the Haj pilgrimage period, when the crossing sees increased movement of pilgrims travelling to holy sites, as well as visitors heading to Dhofar Governorate for the Khareef tourism season. This necessitates heightened preparedness to ensure rapid emergency response and necessary medical care. The new service features a specialised team of qualified paramedics supported by fully-equipped ambulance containing advanced medical devices to handle various emergencies and transport patients to the nearest healthcare facility for treatment. This integrates seamlessly with the region's emergency and healthcare systems. The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening centre capabilities and providing necessary resources to deliver quality services meeting citizens' and residents' needs across all governorates. The Rub Al Khali Border Checkpoint Civil Defence and Ambulance Center represents a vital facility supporting round-the-clock emergency operations. Its enhanced ambulance capacity proves particularly valuable given the crossing's recent surge in traffic volume, marking a qualitative addition to Oman's emergency medical services network. — ONA
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE-Salalah travel during Khareef: Best time to visit, visa, cost revealed
July is the ideal month to visit Oman's Dhofar region during the Khareef season, when the entire area transforms into a lush green landscape and nature is at its vibrant best. 'The Khareef season officially begins on June 21 and ends on September 20. This is when the region experiences monsoon rains and related festivities. Sometimes the rains arrive a bit earlier or later, but generally, by the end of June, the greenery begins to emerge. Even if the rainfall is delayed, the earth typically takes two to three weeks to fully become green,' said Dr Ahmed Al Ghassani, Mayor of Dhofar, in an interview with Khaleej Times. Every summer, thousands of UAE citizens and expatriates travel to Oman during the Khareef season to enjoy the cooler weather, rainfall, and scenic natural beauty. There are multiple land entry points from the UAE to Oman, including routes through Hatta, Al Ain, and other northern emirates. UAE nationals do not require a visa, while expat residents can obtain a visa either at the border or, preferably, online in advance. Visa requirements and cost 'Residents can apply for their visas online, which is safer and saves time,' Dr Ahmed advised. According to the Royal Oman Police website, 'eVisa is your gateway to entering Oman, ensuring a smoother experience without delays upon arrival". While online applications are encouraged, paper applications are still available in exceptional cases. The tourist visa costs five Omani riyals (approximately Dh48). Visitor numbers from UAE In 2023, around one million visitors travelled to Oman during the Khareef season, with tourists coming from GCC countries, China, Egypt, India, and Iraq. Of these, approximately 70 per cent were Omani citizens and residents, 20 per cent were from GCC countries, and 10 per cent from other nations. 'Among GCC visitors, the UAE accounted for the highest number last year, followed by Saudi Arabia. While the UAE leads, the gap is closing as tourist numbers from Saudi Arabia continue to rise rapidly. We are also seeing a growing number of visitors from China,' Dr Ahmed noted. He added that Dhofar aims to boost tourist numbers from the UAE and globally by at least 10 per cent annually over the next three years. 'We're investing in infrastructure projects, and once completed, we'll be able to increase both the volume and pace of incoming tourism,' he said. Most UAE visitors travel to Salalah by car or air. 'Some groups drive to Sohar or Muscat and then take a bus to Salalah,' he explained. Hotel capacity expansion With rising tourist numbers, the Dhofar municipality is working closely with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to expand hotel and resort capacities. 'There are plans to attract tourists from new markets such as Russia. To accommodate this influx, we're increasing the number of hotel rooms. Some new properties will open during this Khareef season, while others are scheduled for winter,' said Dr Ahmed. Some hotels experienced 100 per cent occupancy during the peak of last year's Khareef. What to see and do in Salalah During the Khareef season, Dhofar hosts a wide array of activities including carnivals, drone shows, dancing fountains, theatrical performances, and light shows. Dr Ahmed highlighted several major attractions such as Ramlat Jadilah, the world's largest sand dune, numerous waterfalls, scenic landscapes, and cultural landmarks. 'One of our standout attractions is the Chinese monument — the only one of its kind outside China. It honors Chinese sailor and navigator Zheng He, who toured the world seven times and made four stops in Oman. His cultural contributions are commemorated with this monument in Salalah,' he said.
Arabian Business
07-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Oman increases Muscat to Salalah flights during Khareef season
Oman Air has announced an increase in its operational capacity during the Khareef (monsoon) season in Dhofar, starting from July 1, with 12 daily flights between Muscat and Salalah as part of its commitment to boosting domestic tourism. The airline stated that an additional 70,000 seats have been added to the Muscat-Salalah route till the end of the year. It represents a 16 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, to meet rising seasonal demand. Oman Air Muscat to Salalah flights The company confirmed it will maintain its fixed national fares for all scheduled flights during this period, allowing citizens to book round-trip tickets at a flat rate of OR54 ($140) from July 1 to September 5.
