His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has ordered an all-round upgrading of the tourism facilities and other amenities in the southern region after a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting the Dhofar Governorate seasonally. His Majesty Sultan Haitham praised the well-coordinated efforts on the part of all government agencies, private companies, and other interested parties in managing the current season. To capitalize on this success, His Majesty has instructed his government to develop a service strategy that caters to the growing needs of visitors in terms of quality and experience. Oman Dhofar Tourism Amenities
This royal edict comes in light of the latest official figures stating that Khareef Dhofar is one of the mainstays of the Sultanate’s tourism sector. Fresh data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) reveals that 1,116,051 travelers visited Dhofar between June 21 and August 31, representing an 8.6 percent growth compared to the corresponding timeframe last year.
Domestic travelers formed the bedrock of this seasonal boom, with 816,719 Omani citizens making the trip to enjoy the unique microclimate, lush mist-covered mountains, and moderate temperatures that set the governorate apart from the broader Arabian Peninsula during peak summer.
Regional and international interest also demonstrated robust performance. Regional tourists from neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states accounted for 183,861 visitors, drawn by family-friendly cultural events and improved overland connectivity. Concurrently, 115,471 international tourists from non-GCC countries journeyed to the governorate. While 284,667 travelers chose air travel to reach the destination, overland highways handled the vast majority of traffic, highlighting the critical necessity for continuous arterial road enhancements, service stations, and modernized roadside facilities.
By urging a unified operational framework among governmental entities, private investors, and local communities, His Majesty emphasized that Dhofar’s evolution into a world-class, year-round destination relies on high-quality, interconnected hospitality offerings. The sustained growth in overall visitor numbers underscores the mounting economic significance of the seasonal trade, creating fresh momentum for targeted investments in transport links, hotel inventory, and eco-tourism ventures across Oman. Oman Daily Report
