By Manal Abdel Fattah
The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, continues to implement its tourism projects and launch a promotional package targeting the Gulf and foreign markets. The growth rate of tourism flow in the Dhofar Governorate reached (18.4%), as visitors for the 2023 Dhofar fall season reached about (962) thousand visitors, while The number of charter flights in the winter season to Salalah Airport is (239) direct flights, while the number of visitors from winter tourism reached about (35) thousand tourists until the end of February of this year, in addition to the high hotel occupancy rate for categories (5) and (4).
Stars to exceed (95%) in the winter season.
Regarding investment opportunities, the Director General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate said: “The Ministry has more than (20) direct and promising investment opportunities in the governorate, as it is hoped to open a number of hotel projects to enter into operation with the beginning of the Dhofar 2024 fall season, including the opening of a number of hotels.” Category (5) and (4) stars, as part of the Ministry’s plan to increase the number of hotel rooms in the governorate, which amounted to about (6) thousand hotel rooms at the end of last year, and it is hoped that it will reach (7) thousand rooms by the end of this year.
He stressed that the Ministry is preparing to launch a promotional package targeting the Gulf and foreign markets to promote Dhofar Governorate as an attractive tourist destination, as this year will witness the third edition of the frankincense season, in addition to preparing for the Empty Quarter Festival, which will be in partnership with the relevant government agencies, and the Omani Culinary Arts Festival, which will be in the month of Ramadan. Next September, it will be held for the first time, in addition to many diverse events being prepared, targeting all visitors to the governorate.
It should be noted that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism continues to implement development projects in Dhofar Governorate in the tourism sector in cooperation with partners from government units and the private sector, with the aim of exploiting and developing natural sites in the governorate, which is considered one of the sustainable tourist destinations throughout the year.
