Oman’s Tourism Ministry completes preparations for Khareef Season 2023

Salalah: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has completed its preparations for Dhofar Khareef  season, which is one of the most important tourism seasons in the Sultanate of Oman. Due to the exceptional atmosphere that is unique to the governorate, in addition to the multiple tourism potentials that have created a diversity in the tourism product.

Marwan bin Abdul Hakim Al-Ghassani, Director of the Promotion Department at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate, said in a statement to Oman News Agency: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has developed a plan to promote the fall season and a marketing strategy for all periods of the season, which extends for three months, in proportion to each period, through promotion in the means. Media and advertisements through social media and partnerships with airlines and hotel establishments to implement a joint promotional campaign throughout the season.

He added: There is ongoing cooperation with airlines and hotels to design promotional packages and incentive packages that attract visitors, as many packages have actually been offered and sold through the platforms and websites of tourist offices, which have witnessed great demand and interest.

Al-Ghassani pointed out that the ministry has succeeded, since last season, in promoting the periods in which the tourist movement decreases with the beginning and end of the season due to the incomplete autumn weather and the conditions for the start of the school year by focusing on various tourism patterns represented in adventure tourism and hosting international sports competitions and tournaments, in addition to coordinating efforts. Joint venture with the Oman Convention and Exhibition Bureau to allocate a period of September and October to organize specialized international conferences and exhibitions.

The Director of the Promotion Department at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate confirmed that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is intensifying its efforts to enhance the position of Dhofar Governorate as one of the best sustainable tourism destinations in the region, while increasing the richness of the tourism product to form unique and diverse experiences for tourists through tourism services that meet the requirements of all groups and stand on readiness. The accommodation facilities, which number 50 hotel facilities, contain approximately 6 thousand licensed hotel rooms.

He explained that direct flights will be operated from several airports in the Sultanate of Oman and regional and international airports to Salalah Airport with more than 160 weekly flights during the season, to provide options for travelers to enjoy the fall season.

On the efforts made by the Ministry to promote the fall season, Marwan bin Abdul Hakim Al-Ghassani said: Mobile promotional workshops were organized in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting from Riyadh, passing through Dammam, and then Jeddah. To keep pace with the growth of visitors from Saudi Arabia and other destinations in general, 13 weekly direct flights will operate from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

The governorate will also witness the opening of a number of tourism projects during this season, as part of the efforts made by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to enhance and benefit from the tourism seasons in order to achieve the highest gains in the local added value of the tourism sector, in accordance with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

It is worth noting that the number of visitors to the Khareef Dhofar season 2022 AD amounted to about 813 thousand visitors, compared to 767 thousand visitors during the 2019 season.