(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- The khareef season in Dhofar this year is likely to be a blockbuster year in terms of number of tourists thronging the southern governorate to witness its many natural springs and mist-laden mountains.
The number of visitors this year to Salalah witnessed a growth of 31.5 per cent and reached 642,257 till August 12 over the same period last year when it was 488,556. With over a month to complete the season coupled with the approaching Eid al Adha holidays, the khareef season this year is likely to record the highest number of visitors ever, feels the tourism industry in Salalah.
The year 2016 holds the record for the highest number of visitors (652,986) till now, with a slight decline of 1.2 per cent in 2017, recording 644,931 visitors. The official khareef season runs from June 21 to September 21.
Hotels in the city have already had an exceptional year and expect a full house during the Eid al Adha holidays. 'We are already packed and expect the occupancy to be 100 per cent during the upcoming holidays,' said Manuel Levonian, GM, Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah.
The Tropical Cyclone Mekunu that hit the region late May, although dampened the spirit of the tourism industry initially, actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise as khareef or the monsoon season started earlier than it usually hits Dhofar, bringing to life springs that were dry for years and turning the mountains green with lush overgrowth as early as the beginning of July.
Mekunu had resulted in losses for the industry but it soon turned out to be a blessing with earlier than usual monsoon, said Anurag Mathur, assistant general manager, Shanfari group of hotels and exhibition, which owns Haffa House hotels and Samharam Tourist Village in Salalah. 'We have had a wonderful season, sometimes returning our guests back because of full occupancy. We already have lots of booking for Eid holidays and expect a full house,' he said.
Levonian agreed that Mekunu has turned around the weather and tourism industry's fortune. 'We must give credit to the authorities for getting back the infrastructure and tourism facilities in no time. The extent of damage experienced during the storm was severe, but the recovery was swift which helped the industry tremendously,' he said.
Marhoon bin Said al Ameri, director general of Tourism, Dhofar governorate said, 'Significant infrastructure expansion has taken place in the tourism sector, with an increase in the number of resorts, hotels, hotel apartments and furnished apartments. The total number of hotels in the governorate reached 32 with 3,499 rooms and five-star hotels increased to five.'
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