'The Sultanate of Oman, Jewel of the Arabs'
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Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Souqs, tourism sites abuzz with business activity during Khareef Dhofar 2025
Salalah: Dhofar Governorate is experiencing a boom in commercial activity in traditional markets (souqs), shopping centres and tourism sites during the 2025 Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season. The business activity is driven by a large influx of visitors to the governorate who wish to enjoy the exceptional monsoon weather. It constitutes direct support to the national economy. Commercial activities range from shopping in traditional souqs and modern malls--with an observable rise in sales of handicrafts and local delicacies--to rising demand for restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, and tourist sites and entertainment facilities. The owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) told Oman News Agency (ONA) that Khareef Dhofar season provides a great opportunity for the growth of sales and the expansion of commercial activity. They underlined the importance of upgrading the quality of national products to meet the expectations visitors.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Passenger numbers rise at Oman airports
MUSCAT: Oman Airports recorded a 2-per cent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in June 2025, with 1,134,924 travellers passing through Oman's airports, compared to 1,109,745 during the same month last year. This modest but positive growth is credited to coordinated efforts by Oman Airports and relevant authorities to position the country as an all-year-round tourist destination. These efforts include consistent upgrades to airport infrastructure, smart technologies and traveller services aimed at improving the overall passenger experience from arrival to departure. Oman Airports has focused on ensuring seamless, high-quality and safe travel by investing in advanced technologies that reduce processing times and boost efficiency. The onset of the Khareef Dhofar Season, known for its mild climate and natural charm, has also been a key draw for tourists during this period. Officials see this increase as a sign of the success of promotional campaigns and tourism initiatives. It also underscores the ability of Oman's airports to accommodate growing traffic volumes while maintaining international service standards. Looking ahead, Oman Airports expects travel activity to maintain momentum throughout the rest of the year. A combination of development projects and tourism events are set to further enhance the passenger experience and establish a fully integrated travel environment tailored to the needs of both visitors and residents. — ONA
Observer
7 days ago
- Observer
RO 1.1m Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Park to open in Al Dakhiliyah
AL JABAL AL AKHDHAR: The Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate continues to solidify its status as a premier tourist destination through the implementation of high-quality tourism and recreational projects. Foremost among these is the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Park under construction in Seeh Qatnah, alongside the recently inaugurated Celebration Square, which hosted the opening events of the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Festival 2025. Shaikh Sultan bin Mansour al Ghafili, Wali of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, stated that the wilayat is witnessing tangible developmental progress, reflecting an integrated vision to enhance infrastructure and improve quality of life. He emphasised that these projects align with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, transforming the wilayat's natural and cultural advantages into sustainable development opportunities with direct social and economic impact. In a statement to ONA, he noted that the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Park project is progressing rapidly, with completion exceeding 85 per cent. The park is set to officially open to visitors in August 2025 at a cost exceeding RO 1.1 million. Spanning 20,000 square metres, the park features integrated recreational and service facilities, including a 1,000-square-metre children's play area, sports pathways and investment zones housing a café, a shop, and an electric games section, in addition to prayer rooms and restrooms for men and women. The park also includes a multipurpose open-air theatre and 5,000 square metres of green spaces planted with 150 trees and 400 shrubs, alongside natural vegetation to enhance the site's aesthetics, making it a year-round recreational destination. He affirmed that these projects bolster the wilayat's tourism appeal, provide community platforms for national events, support small and medium enterprises, and stimulate local growth by generating jobs and boosting commercial activity. He added that Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, in coordination with the Al Dakhiliyah Governor's Office, ensures these initiatives serve as pillars for comprehensive, sustainable development that fosters innovation and strengthens Omani identity. Future plans include additional initiatives to attract qualitative investments in eco-tourism, smart agriculture and community services, emphasising collaboration between government entities, the private sector and local communities to ensure holistic and sustainable impact, he added. The park features integrated recreational and service facilities, including a children's play area, sports pathways and investment zones. On his turn, Eng Mohammed bin Ali al Wardi, Director of the Projects Department at Al Dakhiliyah Municipality, highlighted that the park project extends the governorate's vision for developing public spaces and improving urban environments. He noted that the newly inaugurated Celebration Square in Seeh Qatnah is a key cultural and tourism infrastructure project, designed as a multipurpose venue harmonising with Al Jabal Al Akhdhar's geography. The square features a main performance area, parking, restrooms and family rest zones, making it an ideal venue for seasonal and national events. It has become a focal point for visitors to the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Festival 2025, hosting cultural, artistic and recreational activities, as well as exhibitions of local crafts and agricultural products, thereby supporting entrepreneurship and local economic growth. Al Wardi affirmed that these projects align with a broader vision to develop Al Jabal Al Akhdhar as a sustainable tourism hub, balancing infrastructure development with environmental preservation to reinforce the governorate's position on Oman's tourism and investment map. — ONA
