SALALAH: The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has taken the bold step of inviting a Saudi media delegation for a week in an effort to increase awareness of the Dhofar Khareef season. This programme is the cornerstone of a larger marketing campaign designed to highlight Dhofar as a top travel destination.
Representatives from a wide range of Saudi media sources make up the visiting delegation. The group will be able to investigate the most important events and activities taking place in Dhofar during this busy travel season thanks to the programme’s extensive field trip.
The delegation’s schedule includes a visit to historical and cultural sites in Dhofar, providing an immersive immersion into the region’s rich legacy. The journey will also include important tourist attractions and historical landmarks, including seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This exposure seeks to provide the delegation with a comprehensive grasp of Dhofar’s historical significance and cultural vibrancy.
Notable success has been seen in the Dhofar Khareef season this year. From 396,108 visitors at the end of July 2023 to 413,122 by the end of July 2024, visitor numbers had increased by 4.3%. These numbers, which come from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, demonstrate how successful continuous marketing campaigns are and show how interest in the Khareef season is rising.
Breaking down these facts, Omani tourists increased by 3%, reaching 305,070. Visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries also increased, with 66,998 arrivals compared to 59,555 in 2023. In addition, overseas tourists climbed from 40,418 to 41,054.
An important trend can be seen in the mode of arrival: by the end of July 2024, 316,434 tourists had crossed the border by land, while 96,688 had done so by air. Air arrivals have increased by 7% from the previous year.
The vast majority of visitors (95%) arrived between July 1 and July 31, with the remaining 5% arriving between June 21 and June 30.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is coordinating a number of promotional events, including this media engagement, to raise Oman’s status as a premier travel destination.
