Salalah, February 12 /Oman News Agency/ – The number of visitors to the Khareef season in Dhofar from June 21 to September 21, 2024, reached approximately 1,048,000, an increase of 962,000 visitors, representing a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The estimated statistics issued by the National Center for Statistics and Information indicated that the number of Omani visitors increased by 70.1%, reaching 734,588 visitors compared to 676,009 visitors during the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rose by 16.9%, totaling 176,643 visitors compared to 161,472 visitors during the same period in 2023. Additionally, the number of visitors from other Arab countries increased by 3.6%, reaching 37,790 visitors compared to 35,095 visitors in the same period of 2023. The number of visitors from other countries in 2024 was 4,060, reflecting a 0.3% increase from 3,008 visitors in 2023.
The statistics from the National Center for Statistics and Information also revealed that the number of visitors to the Khareef season in Dhofar from June 21 to September 21, 2024, via land entry points was 794,596 visitors, compared to 722,795 visitors in 2023. The number of arrivals via air travel during the last season was 253,155 visitors, compared to 239,401 visitors in the 2023 season.
The statistics indicated that the number of international flights during the period from June 21 to September 21, 2024, reached 103,073 international flights, while the number of domestic flights was 150,082.
Dhofar Governorate has witnessed the development and opening of several tourism projects over the past two years, developed in collaboration between the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Dhofar Municipality, and Omran Group. These projects included the viewpoints of Darbat and Hamrir, the waterfront at Al Mughsail, the development of Ain Jarziz, as well as two tourism projects in the Wilayat of Mirbat, namely the Damir viewpoint and the Agbeir recreational area in its first phase, in addition to the development of the Shat viewpoint in the Wilayat of Rakhyout.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism implemented several programs during the Khareef season that contributed to promoting the 2024 Khareef season through advertising the season on billboards in the Sultanate of Oman and several GCC countries, hosting influencers and content creators from inside and outside Oman to cover various events and tourist sites. Additionally, promotional campaigns for the season were conducted through the ministry’s social media accounts, and the Khareef season was advertised through external media channels. The ministry also sponsored events held.
