Dhofar Municipality, in collaboration with government and private agencies, is actively working to enhance and revitalize tourist sites, improve facades, and implement road projects in Dhofar Governorate for the upcoming Dhofar Khareef season in 2024. The Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohsen Al-Ghassani, highlighted the success of the previous season in boosting tourism, commercial activities, and supporting various sectors, with the number of visitors reaching one million – an 18.4% increase from the previous year. The spending during the season exceeded OMR100 million, and it is anticipated that the upcoming season will witness a higher influx of visitors with spending projected to exceed OMR115 million.
There are ongoing efforts to refurbish and develop new tourist sites in Dhofar Governorate, including “Return of the Past”, “Aten Square”, “Uptown”, and “Razath Boulevard”, with plans to operate these sites in two phases – the first phase for 6 months and the second phase for a longer period. Dr. Ahmed Al Ghassani emphasized the government’s investments in developing Dhofar Governorate across various sectors, including traffic flow, road projects, drainage of rainwater, and enhancing tourist sites and facades. With approved projects exceeding OMR30 million for the year, there are also plans to announce additional projects in the coming period aimed at strengthening infrastructure, expanding road works, and improving the rainwater drainage network.
The tireless efforts in the past couple of years have led to the creation of activities and events post-autumn season, such as the “Sarb” and “Winter” seasons, attracting visitors from diverse regions. During the summer season, most tourists come from within Oman and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, while during the “Sarb” season, tourists arrive from Arab countries like Egypt, Libya, and Algeria, as well as Asian countries like China. European countries and Eastern Europe are key sources of tourists during the winter season. The constant focus on enhancing commercial, economic, and tourism activities in Dhofar Governorate has led to the development of visionary strategies to stimulate growth in these sectors, encourage small and medium enterprises, empower Omani youth and innovators, and promote investment in various economic sectors related to tourism and natural resources in the region.
It is evident that the features of commercial, economic, and tourism activities in Dhofar Governorate have reached new heights, with notable growth and development in various sectors. The municipality is actively working towards the implementation of many projects aimed at expanding road infrastructure, enhancing the rainwater drainage network, and supporting youth and development projects. The success of post-autumn seasons like “Sarb” and “Winter” has significantly increased the geographic diversity of visitors to Dhofar Governorate, attracting tourists from neighboring countries, Asia, and Europe. These efforts have not only boosted tourism but have also created opportunities for local businesses, youth, and investors, stimulating economic growth and development in the region.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of Dhofar Municipality, along with government and private agencies, are essential in revitalizing and enhancing the tourist offerings in Dhofar Governorate. The focus on developing new tourist sites, improving infrastructure, and implementing road projects is crucial for attracting visitors and supporting economic activities during the upcoming Dhofar Khareef season in 2024. With strategic plans in place to stimulate growth in various sectors, including tourism, commercial activities, and small and medium enterprises, Dhofar Governorate is poised to emerge as a vibrant hub for tourism and economic development in the region.
