Latest news with #LandofFrankincenseMuseum
Observer
8 hours ago
- Observer
Dhofar plans to keep visitors coming in even after khareef season
SALALAH: Dhofar is celebrating the peak of the khareef season with nightly shows, family attractions and heritage programmes across Salalah. Officials and organisers are working on ways to extend visitor flows well into autumn and winter. When the monsoon eases around September 20, the governorate transitions from misty hills to clear seas and cultural circuits. Diving and snorkelling are typically best from October to April, the traditional sardine season ('Al Dawaghi') brings life back to beaches between Raysut and Mirbat, and migratory birdwatching peaks across lagoons such as Khor Rori from October to March. Year-round attractions for international visitors include Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Land of Frankincense Museum, as well as coastal promenades, souqs scented with frankincense and Salalah's beaches once the seas calm after khareef. The logistics backbone continues to support the visitor economy, with the Port of Salalah being one of the world's most efficient transhipment hubs. Recent capacity upgrades position the gateway for stronger trade flows. The curated season until September 20, reinforced safety measures, and a post-khareef playbook focused on seas, heritage and outdoor sports aim to broaden tourism beyond the monsoon window in alignment with Oman Vision 2040's diversification goals.
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
History exhibition highlights Dhofar's unique biodiversity
SALALAH, AUG 12 The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has launched the temporary exhibition 'Dhofar: Wonder of Natural History', showcasing the governorate's rich mountain and marine environments and their rare biodiversity. The exhibition aims to highlight Dhofar's environmental and tourism significance to both local and international audiences. Hosted at the Land of Frankincense Museum, the exhibition offers an interactive scientific and educational platform that attracts visitors of all ages. It presents extensive knowledge reflecting Dhofar's unique natural wealth, while raising awareness about the importance of preserving natural resources and addressing environmental challenges. 'This exhibition highlights Dhofar's environmental, geological and marine diversity, reinforcing Omani identity and documenting our natural heritage. It also fosters opportunities for scientific research and collaboration with academic and community institutions," Abdullah al Amri, Head of Temporary Exhibitions at the Ministry, told the Observer. The displays include rare specimens, archival photographs and educational models depicting Dhofar's wildlife — from lush mountain landscapes during the khareef season to the coastline's distinctive marine species. The exhibition combines visual and cultural elements designed to engage children, students, researchers and tourists alike. A dedicated children's corner offers activities such as drawing and colouring to inspire creativity and broaden young minds. Al Amri noted that the exhibition is part of the ministry's strategy to use temporary exhibits as a tool for community engagement and environmental education, while bolstering Dhofar's reputation as a world-class tourist destination rich in natural assets and biodiversity. He invited citizens, residents and visitors to experience this rich showcase of knowledge and natural beauty before the exhibition closes on August 31. Organisers hope the event will inspire the next generation to continue environmental protection efforts and position Dhofar as a global example of harmony between nature and people.
Muscat Daily
11-08-2025
- Muscat Daily
Dhofar: A Marvel of Natural History exhibition opens in Salalah
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Salalah – An exhibition called 'Dhofar: A Marvel of Natural History' opened at Land of Frankincense Museum in Salalah on Sunday, organised by Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in cooperation with the Natural History Museum in Muscat. Inaugurated by Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of Environment Authority, it will run till August 31. The exhibition highlights Dhofar's mountainous and marine environments and its unique wildlife found in wilayats across the governorate. It also features a scientific collection showcasing the natural history of the region. Osama bin Mohammed al Rawas, Director of the Land of Frankincense Museum, said, 'The exhibition aims to raise awareness on environmental protection and the importance of preserving natural resources, while providing an educational and entertainment platform for visitors of all ages.' The exhibition is taking place during khareef giving visitors an opportunity to explore Dhofar in its element. 'It also consolidates the governorate's position as a global tourist destination, while supporting Omani identity, documenting local natural heritage, and allowing opportunities for scientific research and cooperation with academic and community institutions,' Rawas added.
CairoScene
12-04-2025
- CairoScene
Why a Coastal City in Oman Smells of Sweet Frankincense
Why a Coastal City in Oman Smells of Sweet Frankincense Oman's coastal city Salalah presents a case study in continuity—a locale where climatic phenomena and historical trajectories intersect to form an experience that is both scholarly and practical. Situated in the southern part of Oman within the Dhofar Governorate, Salalah not only benefits from its proximity to the Arabian Sea but also exists as a quiet witness to centuries of trade and cultural interchange. To understand Salalah's rhythm, one must begin with its geography—a foundation that both grounds and defines its unique interplay of nature and history. The city's climatic cycle defies conventional expectations in the Arabian Peninsula: between June and September, a period known as the Khareef transforms the environment. Rather than a relentless desert, the region experiences a seasonal rain that softens the arid land and produces a temporary burst of greenery. This transformation isn't just visual—it influences the scent of the air, the movement of people, and even the cultural rituals that emerge in response. Just as the Khareef rewrites the landscape each year, Salalah's historical role has long rewritten the region's importance on the global stage. Salalah's historical narrative is steeped in its prominence as a nexus for the ancient frankincense trade—a commodity that once connected Oman to markets across the ancient world. One way to see this history is to visit the Land of Frankincense Museum, where an organised collection of artefacts and interpretive exhibits elucidates the intricate trade networks that once spanned continents. Its displays are supported by archaeological evidence uncovered at nearby sites such as the Al Baleed Archaeological Park. These institutions function not only as cultural repositories but also as hubs of ongoing scholarly research into trade networks and cultural diffusion in pre-modern Arabia. The active Haffa Souq, where frankincense is still exchanged, provides an everyday reminder of the region's mercantile heritage—a tradition that has evolved in tandem with the modern economy. But Salalah isn't a city trapped in the past. Its legacy lives on not just in stone artefacts, but in rhythms of celebration that honour both heritage and change. Beyond the realm of history and climate, the social landscape of Salalah is enriched by its active cultural calendar. The annual Khareef festival, for instance, is organised with a view to celebrating both the natural phenomenon and the human interactions it inspires. Events during this season are characterised by public lectures, cultural exhibitions, and performances that draw on the region's diverse traditions. Local galleries and cultural centres complement these public festivities by hosting exhibitions that highlight contemporary Omani art. These gatherings represent a continuation of the same spirit of exchange that once powered ancient trade—only now, the currency includes ideas, creativity, and connection. To fully appreciate what Salalah offers, one must also look beyond it—to the contrasts and continuities that define the greater Dhofar region. To the south of Salalah, one encounters expansive deserts that form a counterpoint to the lush monsoon landscape; these deserts, far from being barren, are punctuated by seasonal oases and ancient caravan routes that have been documented in both classical texts and modern travel journals. Meanwhile, the coastal area near Al Mughsail Beach is noted for its pristine sands and naturally occurring blowholes—a phenomenon that has intrigued geologists and casual observers alike. From the greening hills to the shifting sands, these natural features are not isolated attractions but are integral to the region's overall ecological narrative, which includes marine biology research initiatives and conservation efforts that aim to balance human activity with environmental stewardship. In the end, these contrasts—lush monsoon and arid desert, ancient trade and modern research—converge in a single place, where history is not confined to museums nor is nature merely a backdrop—it is a living, breathing presence that informs daily life. From the scent of frankincense wafting through age-old markets to the misty monsoon rains that rewrite the landscape each summer, the city invites both study and surrender, offering an encounter with time itself—layered, fragrant, and fleeting.
