Oman- Thousands expected as khareef season in Dhofar officially begins

The khareef season in Dhofar officially began on June 21. The three-month season, ends on September 21. With its rolling gentle hills and lush wadis and splendid waterfalls, the governorate lures thousands of visitors during the season.

According to the survey of visitors during the khareef season in 2018, conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the ROP, in 2018 the governorate saw 826,376 visitors, an increase of 28.1 per cent as compared to 644,931 in 2017 during the season.

Salalah serves as a destination for both Omani and Gulf nationals during the summer vacations thanks to its pleasant weather. The drizzle combined with fog provides tourists a picturesque view of the mountains and green plains. It is a recreation and relaxation site for many trying to escape the heat in other places in the region during the time. The Salalah Tourism Festival is the main highlight of the khareef season. The festival includes many recreational, cultural, artistic, sporting and economic activities.

Some of the other features that attract visitors include the white beaches, blowholes, sinkholes and frankincense. The area also has many caves for tourists to explore. The government and private organisations handling the tourist season prepare well in advance to meet the heavy tourist rush.

An annual feature of the season is the Khareef Salalah 2019 Visitors Survey. It will start on July 11 and continue till August 22. The survey, which is being carried out for the 15th successive year, in cooperation with MoT and the ROP, contributes to providing data and information.

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