
Khareef season: Omani authorities issue safety tips for travelling to Dhofar after crash
While the rains bring cooler temperatures and helps create unforgettable moments, it can also bring about safety hazards, particularly near water bodies. Stressing the need to exercise caution, Omani police shared safety tips for those travelling to Dhofar:
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Do not park your vehicle in unsafe places, such as near slopes. This puts your life and the lives of others at risk. Be responsible and stay away from dangerous locations.
Never leave children unattended near ponds and bodies of water, as even a moment of inattention can cost you
Keep the vehicles clean, and avoid dirty cars. Do not obscure the plate number, as owners can be held legally accountable for this
Passengers must not lean out of the window or roof of the car while driving recklessly; this can also expose you to legal accountability.
In a tragic accident in early July, a multi-vehicle collision in Dhofar killed 5 people, including two Omanis and three Emiratis who were from the same family. The crash injured eleven others, including two Omanis and nine Emirati citizens of which five are children.
The Emirati family members who died in the crash are a couple, and the wife's mother. The couple's eight-month-old daughter was hospitalised in Oman.
The family had travelled to Salalah for a summer break, but the tragic accident occurred just 12 hours after they left the UAE.
After the collision, UAE travellers spoke to Khaleej Times, sharing precautions to take while planning the journey, such as ensuring the vehicle is in good condition.
They also shared safety advice for driving through the tricky terrain, such as checking fuel levels, and driving at a speed lower than the speed limit in some areas.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
11 hours ago
- Zawya
Oman Airports in talks with airlines for direct flights to Europe, China
Muscat - Focusing on the aeronautical side of the business, Oman Airports is in talks to attract new airlines into the region and create Muscat Airport as a hub for some. Eng. Ahmed bin Saeed al Amri, CEO of Oman Airports, said that the company is currently discussing with the budget airline Wizz Air the possibility of operating direct flights from European airports to the Sultanate of Oman, including from its hub in Budapest (Hungary), or other European cities. He hoped these routes would be launched soon. "Oman Airports is working in cooperation with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Sultanate of Oman through incentives and packages to attract China Eastern Airlines to operate direct flights to Muscat, either via Shanghai or Guangzhou." The airline is also talking to LOT Polish Airlines to operate direct flights between Muscat and Warsaw, and the Civil Aviation Authority is in contact with its Polish counterpart to officially open this route. The CEO of Oman Airports also indicated that the commercial team, in cooperation with Oman Air, is studying the Vietnamese market and examining its potential and advantages. Regarding passenger and airline traffic to Salalah Airport, he confirmed that this year has seen a significant increase in arrivals, both during the autumn season via local flights and direct flights from GCC countries, and during the winter season, which attracts direct flights from Scandinavia and Belarus. Regarding Muscat International Airport, he explained that the number of passengers traveling to the airport is constantly increasing compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is some decline in the number of transfer passengers due to Oman Air reducing the number of flights and its fleet. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Zawya
11 hours ago
- Zawya
Oman: Dhofar, from seasonal escape to sustainable destination
Dhofar is no longer just Oman's monsoon hideaway. A quiet transformation is underway—one that aims to shift the governorate from a three-month seasonal destination into a vibrant, sustainable tourism hub active year-round. With upgraded infrastructure, flagship investments, and an emerging vision aligned with Oman Vision 2040, Dhofar is preparing for its next chapter. FOUNDATIONS IN PLACE Roads have been expanded, Salalah Airport upgraded, and municipal services improved to better serve both residents and the growing number of visitors. In areas like Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, and Dalkut, we're seeing new hospitality projects, retail developments, and expanded urban services—laying the groundwork for a richer tourism offering. Official data reflects this shift. Tourism contributed RO 2.7 billion to Oman's GDP in 2024, with Dhofar playing a key role—especially during the Khareef season. Still, the governorate's impact remains modest compared to its potential. Meanwhile, outbound travel by Omanis and residents reached RO 1.8 billion—a strong indication that domestic destinations like Dhofar could capture more of that spending if they delivered the right experiences. More than 3.8 million tourists visited Oman in 2024, with over half arriving from the United Arab Emirates. That market—familiar, affluent, and right next door—remains under-leveraged. TWO PROJECTS, ONE DIRECTION Among the most promising signs of Dhofar's evolution are two standout developments: Janaen Salalah, a 5.5 million square metre agritourism destination developed by Omran Group, is designed to blend farming, hospitality, and environmental learning. Coconut and papaya plantations will sit alongside eco-lodges, educational trails, a local produce village, and spaces for cultural exchange. It is a model that fuses sustainability with lifestyle—rooted in place, yet globally relevant. Just a few kilometres away in the Ittin Plain, the award-winning Boulevard al Rathath is preparing to offer something entirely different: a 470,000 m² leisure and entertainment district inspired by the interplay of mist, water, and the Omani identity. With a total investment of RO 40 million, the project includes the 'Grand Souq,' botanical gardens, canal-side restaurants, suspended walkways, open-air theatres, and retail experiences—all built around a central theme of nature in motion. The first phase will be funded by the Ministry of Finance with RO 10 million, with the remaining capital coming from the private sector. Together, the two projects are expected to attract more than 1 million visitors annually and generate over 1,500 jobs, helping diversify Dhofar's economy while creating lasting value for local communities. Both are firmly aligned with Oman Vision 2040's pillars: economic diversification, sustainable cities, private sector empowerment, and local value creation. THE MISSING PIECE: INTEGRATION Despite such gains, the region's tourism landscape remains fragmented. Activities during Khareef are not yet unified under a central brand or management body. Events are often organised in silos, and promotional campaigns—though well-intentioned—lack the consistency, identity, and storytelling power required to position Dhofar competitively on the global map. If Dhofar is to become a true four-season destination, we must move from infrastructure to orchestration—from building roads and hotels to building narratives, partnerships, and systems that hold everything together. FOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE FUTURE 1. Establish a central tourism authority in Dhofar to plan, brand, and coordinate all tourism seasons—Khareef and beyond. 2. Boost investment in eco-, cultural, and adventure tourism in underutilised protected areas, while maintaining environmental integrity. 3. Launch a unified digital platform for booking, navigation, real-time updates, and feedback—making every visitor's phone a smart travel companion. 4. Empower local communities not just as workers, but as owners and storytellers, bringing Dhofar's identity to life through food, crafts, hospitality, and heritage. A TOURISM VISION ROOTED IN PEOPLE At the end of the day, tourists don't come back because of how many stars a hotel has. They return because of how a place made them feel. The warmth of a honey-seller in Mirbat, the pride of a farmer planting coconut trees in Janaen, or a young guide explaining the history of frankincense under the drizzle of Khareef—these are the memories that turn visits into stories, and stories into loyalty. Dhofar's natural beauty is already world-class. What will set it apart is how it uses that beauty to foster connection—between people and place, past and future, economy and ecology. There is no shortage of effort. Ministries are supporting, investors are building, and communities are ready. But to truly elevate Dhofar, these efforts must converge. With coordination, imagination, and a clear sense of purpose, Dhofar can become more than a season—it can become a signature of what sustainable tourism in Oman looks like. The map is drawn. The first foundations are in place. What comes next will define not just Dhofar's tourism—but its legacy. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Zawya
12 hours ago
- Zawya
Jabal al Akhdar Park to be opened to the public in August
Al Jabal Al Akhdar - The Al Jabal Al Akhdar Park or the Green Mountain Park project in Saih Qatna, which is currently being built for RO1.1 million, is 85 percent complete and will be officially opened to visitors in August. Sheikh Sultan bin Mansour al Ghafili, Wali of Jabal Al Akhdar, said the park covers an area of 20,000 sqm and includes integrated recreational and service facilities, including a 1,000 sqm children's play area, sports tracks, and investment areas containing a café, a shop, and an area dedicated to electric games, in addition to prayer rooms and restrooms for men and women. The park also includes a multi-use open theater and 5,000 sqm of green spaces, landscaped with 150 trees and 400 shrubs, along with vegetation that enhances the site's aesthetics and makes the park a complete year-round entertainment destination. These projects contribute to enhancing the state's tourism landscape, providing community platforms for hosting national events, and playing a role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and stimulating local growth by creating job opportunities and stimulating commercial activity. He said the Wilayat of Jabal Al Akhdar, in coordination with the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate Office, is keen to ensure that these initiatives serve as a foundation for a comprehensive development drive that takes into account the principles of sustainability, stimulates innovation, and enhances the Omani identity in all its components. His Excellency added that the next phase will witness the implementation of additional initiatives aimed at enhancing the state's readiness to attract quality investments, particularly in the areas of ecotourism, smart agriculture, and community services, while emphasizing the importance of integrating the roles of government agencies, the private sector, and the local community to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable development impact. For his part, Eng. Mohammed bin Ali al Wardi, Director of the Projects Department at Al Dakhiliyah Municipality, pointed out that the park project is an extension of the governorate's vision to develop public spaces, and the celebration square in Saih Qatna, which was officially inaugurated this July, represents one of the most prominent cultural and tourism infrastructure projects in the governorate. He explained that the square was designed to be a multi-use platform that blends seamlessly with the geographical character of the Green Mountain. It includes a main arena for performances, along with service facilities such as parking, restrooms, and family lounges, making it an ideal destination for hosting seasonal and national events. Engineer Mohamed Al Wardi stated that the square has become a major attraction for visitors to the Green Mountain Festival 2025, hosting cultural, artistic, and entertainment events, in addition to exhibitions of local handicrafts and agricultural products, enhancing the project's role in supporting entrepreneurship and stimulating the local economy.