Oman: Dhofar expects high hotel occupancy as khareef draws visitors
Hotels in the region are offering promotional packages and marketing programmes in anticipation of a high number of visitors during the season, which attracts tourists from across the region each year.
Many hotels have introduced competitive prices and improved hospitality services, including guest reception and departure assistance, as well as guided tours to key tourist, heritage and entertainment sites.
A key highlight this year is the increased presence of qualified Omani staff in the hotel and tourism sector, further supporting the local hospitality industry.
Ahmed bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director of the Quality Control Department at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar, said preparations began with an annual coordination meeting involving the directorate and representatives from the hotel and tourism sectors. The meeting focused on service readiness and maintaining high standards of quality across all facilities.
Ghassani said there are now 100 licensed hotel establishments in Dhofar, offering more than 8,000 rooms. 'In 2024, hotel occupancy rates reached 90%, and we expect these figures to increase this year due to attractive marketing campaigns and seasonal promotions from hotels and tourism companies,' he said.
He also noted the continued use of the 'Sikka' app during the 2025 season. Supervised by the Office of the Governor of Dhofar in coordination with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Dhofar Municipality, the app regulates the real estate market and formalises rental agreements between landlords and tenants.
The platform protects the rights of all parties and provides property owners with new ways to market their properties within Oman and abroad.
© Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
33 minutes ago
- Zawya
Jordan: Prime minister says economic growth, job creation remain top priorities for gov't
AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said Monday that economic development remains the government's top priority, with a clear focus on achieving sustainable growth and creating job opportunities across. Speaking during a meeting with the Taqaddum parliamentary bloc, attended by Acting Speaker of the Lower House Mustafa Khasawneh, Hassan said that the recent economic indicators for the first quarter of the year are 'encouraging,' pointing to improvements in growth, trade, and investment figures. 'We hope this momentum continues and that these indicators strengthen further,' Hassan said, adding that the numbers reflect progress despite a decline in the mining sector due to global market conditions. 'Had it not been for this downturn, the current indicators would have reached record levels unseen in recent years.' The prime minister also outlined 'government interventions' aimed at supporting sectors impacted by regional tensions, most notably tourism. He cited positive signs of recovery expected with the start of the next tourism season in September, the Jordan news agency, Petra, reported. He also emphasised that economy is the government's number one file, with a focus on achieving sustainable economic growth to help create job opportunities, adding that the Economic Modernisation Vision is fundamentally based on this principle, especially by supporting the private sector, expanding its role, and attracting investments, mainly into industrial cities and development zones across the country. He also highlighted major strategic infrastructure projects currently under implementation in transport, water, energy, and other sectors, citing their significance in achieving economic goals and attracting foreign investment, according to Petra. Hassan said employee efficiency remains the primary performance metric, emphasising ongoing efforts to accelerate digital transformation, upgrade institutional culture, and implement training programmes, all designed to improve public service delivery. The prime minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to political modernisation, particularly through reforms to the Local Administration Law. 'We have initiated dialogue and will expand its scope,' he said, emphasizing that better municipal governance is essential to addressing challenges such as debt and weak services, Petra reported. 'Our goal is to maintain the path of democracy and reform while striking a balance between performance improvement and stronger governance,' he added. Khasawneh praised government outreach efforts, including visits to governorates, which he said reflect the Royal vision of modernisation across economic, political, and administrative tracks. 'These efforts noted, are especially important amid ongoing economic challenges.'
Zawya
34 minutes ago
- Zawya
Oil prices rise as Iran suspends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog
Oil futures edged up on Wednesday as Iran suspended cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog and markets weighed expectations of more supply from major producers next month while the U.S. dollar softened further. Brent crude added 56 cents, or 0.8%, to $67.67 a barrel at 0934 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 53 cents, or 0.8%, at $65.98 a barrel. Brent has traded between a high of $69.05 a barrel and low of $66.34 since June 25, as concerns of supply disruptions in the Middle East producing region have ebbed following the ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Iran put into effect a law on Wednesday that stipulates that any future inspection of its nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency needs approval by Tehran's Supreme National Security Council. The country has accusing the institution of siding with Western countries and providing a justification for Israel's air strikes "The market is pricing in some geopolitical risk premium from Iran's move on the IAEA," said Giovanni Staunovo, commodity analyst at UBS. "But this is about sentiment, there are no disruptions to oil." Planned supply increases by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies including Russia, know as OPEC+, appear already priced in by investors and are unlikely to catch markets off-guard again imminently, said Phillip Nova senior market analyst Priyanka Sachdeva. Four OPEC+ sources told Reuters last week the group plans to raise output by 411,000 barrels per day next month when it meets on July 6, a similar amount to hikes agreed for May, June and July. "We are all talking about additional supply coming to the market, but the supply has not really hit the market," Staunovo said. "Probably because it's being consumed domestically." Saudi Arabia lifted shipments in June by 450,000 bpd from May, according to data from Kpler, its highest in more than a year. However, overall OPEC+ exports are relatively flat to slightly down since March, Staunovo said. He expects this to persist over the summer as hot weather drives higher energy demand. The greenback continued to weaken, falling to a 3-1/2-year low against major peers earlier on Wednesday. A weaker dollar tends to support oil prices, as it could boost demand for buyers paying in other currencies. U.S. non-farm payrolls data due on Thursday will shape expectations around the depth and timing of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in the second half of this year, said Tony Sycamore, analyst at IG. Lower interest rates could spur economic activity which would in turn boost oil demand. Official U.S. oil stockpile data from the Energy Information Administration is due Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET. American Petroleum Institute data late on Tuesday showed U.S. crude oil inventories rose by 680,000 barrels in the past week at a time when stockpiles typically draw amid the summer demand season, sources said. (Reporting by Anna Hirtenstein in London; Additional reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan and Trixie Yap in Singapore; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Rachna Uppal and David Evans)
Zawya
34 minutes ago
- Zawya
Enabel launches $7.6mln employment initiative for youth, women in Jordan
AMMAN — The Belgian development agency (Enabel) on Tuesday launched the Employment and Livelihood Programme (ELP) in Jordan, aiming to promote decent job opportunities and entrepreneurship in partnership with local and international institutions. Funded by the EU with a 6.5 million euro investment, the ELP aims to enhance economic participation by addressing structural employment barriers and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The programme focuses on vulnerable groups, including youth, women, and Syrian refugees, aiming to create sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities aligned with local labour market demands, according to organisers. The launch event gathered representatives from government institutions, development partners and civil society. Enabel's Country Director in Jordan and Palestine Heidi De Pauw described the ELP as 'an inclusive, forward-looking programme built to last.' The agenda featured three sessions. The first, titled 'Equipping Youth, Syrian Refugees, and Women in Jordan with Demand-Driven Skills,' addressed the need to align vocational training with real-time labour market needs. Experts stressed that employability now requires more than technical skills; it demands a deeper understanding of sector-specific trends and behavioural competencies. The session also highlighted the importance of institutionalising work-based learning and strengthening sectoral organisations. The final session focused on promoting Syrian refugee economic participation through evidence-based policy and action. Targeting individuals aged 18 to 35, the programme aims for 35 per cent Syrian refugee participation and 50 per cent female engagement. Beyond direct support to individuals, ELP also works with small and medium-sized enterprises and public institutions to foster a more inclusive and resilient economic environment in Jordan. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
