Latest news with #Khareef
Observer
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Observer
Caution advised as sea conditions change during Khareef
Muscat: As the Khareef season intensifies across Dhofar Governorate, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) reminds the public of turbulent sea conditions and rising wave levels along the southern coast during this period. The alert, shared as part of the ROP's safety campaign, highlights the elevated risks posed by unpredictable marine conditions during this period. Citizens and residents, particularly fishermen and seafarers, are urged to avoid venturing out to sea unless absolutely necessary. The ROP reiterated the importance of regularly following weather bulletins and adhering to maritime safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities. The warning follows observations of significant wave activity, which can pose serious threats to small boats and fishing vessels operating close to the shore. The Arabian Sea becomes particularly volatile during this period, with wave heights sometimes exceeding 3 metres, especially along the coasts of Salalah, Mirbat, and Taqah. These conditions are compounded by strong offshore winds, reduced visibility, and undercurrents that pose a danger not only to fishing boats but also to swimmers and beachgoers. Authorities have previously recorded several maritime accidents during the Khareef season, mostly due to negligence of weather warnings or inadequate safety equipment on boats. Its good to remember that three years back, a trip to Mughsail Beach in Salalah turned into a tragedy for one Indian family as they were swept away into the sea by strong currents. With the current Khareef season expected to peak in the coming weeks, the ROP has called for heightened vigilance and cooperation from the public, urging everyone to treat official warnings with the utmost seriousness
Al Bawaba
2 days ago
- Al Bawaba
Khareef, Connected: Ooredoo Powers Summer Adventures With Offers for Everyone!
Khareef is here, and Ooredoo is making it easier than ever to stay connected while you explore, share, and celebrate the season's magic. Soak in Salalah's cool weather with Ooredoo's fun-packed range of special Khareef offers, so your summer stays easy and to Dhofar can enjoy Ooredoo's prepaid Tourist Plans. All plans offer unlimited tourist-to-tourist calls and come with a fully digital eSIM onboarding process, enabling instant activation through facial recognition. Starting from just OMR 5, make the most of your trip with generous data, local and international minutes, and unlimited calls between tourist SIMs, with instant eSIM activation and exclusive Nojoom discounts on hotels, car rentals, and cafes. With enhanced 5G coverage, it's the perfect travel companion for your trip this season. Also for prepaid customers, the Hala Data Booster keeps you connected with up to 100GB of bonus social data for just OMR 2, perfect for sharing special moments with friends on all your favourite social platforms. If you're planning a longer stay, Ooredoo's 5G Home Internet customers can take their modems to Salalah without paying a rial extra, ensuring high-speed, plug-and-play connectivity wherever you're relaxing. It's fast, simple, and keeps your Khareef easy to commitment to flexibility, customer-first service, and digital empowerment means every trip during Oman's most visited season comes with the best connection possible. So, wherever Khareef takes you, pack Ooredoo in your pocket and make every moment count. For more details on Ooredoo's Khareef offers, visit
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- 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. (
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
MoL introduces temporary work transfer service during Khareef Dhofar
Muscat: As part of efforts to regulate the labour market and support Omani entrepreneurs during the Khareef Dhofar 2025 season, the Ministry of Labour announced the launch of a new service enabling the temporary transfer of workers between private sector establishments operating in the Governorate of Dhofar. The initiative, introduced through the Directorate-General of Labour in Dhofar, allows employers to transfer workers temporarily (known as 'Nadb') during the tourism season. This service aims to meet the increasing workforce demand during the Khareef period while ensuring regulatory oversight and fair employment practices. The ministry confirmed that the transfer process will be subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in an approved application form provided by the directorate.
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Wadi Darbat: A hub for youth projects during the khareef
Wadi Darbat in Dhofar Governorate witnesses a surge in youth activity during Khareef (monsoon) season, marked by a series of Omani projects and initiatives that reflect the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among young people. This takes place in an environment rich in natural beauty, attracting visitors from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman. These projects span a variety of sectors, including recreational activities, water boats, restaurants, mobile kiosks, handicrafts, and handmade products, alongside environmental and awareness initiatives aimed at preserving the wadi's cleanliness and aesthetic appeal. Their success lies in meeting local market demands and enhancing the tourism experience. These initiatives receive direct support from relevant government entities as part of efforts to empower Omani youth to invest in the tourism potential of the Khareef season, particularly in high-traffic areas like Wadi Darbat, which has become a prime destination for pioneering projects that bolster sustainable local development. The natural features of Wadi Darbat during Khareef have also enhanced entrepreneurial opportunities by providing an enabling environment to showcase products, develop business skills, attract tourists, and expand local economic activity. Mohammed Mohsen Al-Maamari, owner of Darbat Park Boats, stated that the project officially launched in 2008 after a modest start the previous year, when the wadi suffered from low visitor numbers and inadequate services. He explained that the project began with just three boats and a team of four employees but has since expanded to include over 85 boats, with a workforce of 33 Omani employees and 15 expatriates. Al Maamari noted that improvements included upgrading infrastructure and hospitality facilities, such as establishing a modern-style café. He emphasized that high demand prompted expansion efforts to reduce wait times, contributing to the revitalization of tourism in the wadi. On his turn, Salim Mohammed Al Maashani, owner of Darbat Rural Retreat, explained that his project embodies Omani rural identity in a prime location at the wadi's entrance. The project offers an authentic rural lodging experience using natural materials like wood and clay, alongside local products such as ghee, honey, and pottery. He pointed out that increasing demand has prompted plans for future expansion, stressing that such heritage projects help promote community-based tourism and support the income of local producers and artisans. Meanwhile, Said Mahad Al Maashani, owner of Darbat Huts, shared that his project started four years ago with three huts and has since expanded to nine huts in two different designs. The project provides hospitality services in a breathtaking natural setting, with options for bookings and hosting visitors from Oman and GCC countries. In the adventure tourism sector, Eng. Abdulhakim Amer Al Maashani, co-founder of Dhofar Tourism and Investment Company, discussed the Zipline project, launched in Wadi Darbat in 2022, with a 120-meter line. He noted rapid development, including dual lines for round trips and two experience sites, creating around 60 temporary job opportunities for Omani youth. This year's plan includes constructing a main zipline with four outgoing and four return lines, which could employ approximately 140 job seekers. He emphasized the project's goal to develop adventure tourism and train Omani personnel to take on operational and managerial roles. In the food and beverage sector, Mohammed Khalid Jaaboub, owner of Café Fog London, explained that his project was inspired by a love for nature and a desire to blend modern taste with scenic beauty. Located overlooking Wadi Darbat, the café offers a menu of beverages, desserts, and light meals in an elegant setting with indoor and outdoor seating. Jaaboub affirmed the project's popularity among visitors seeking tranquility amid fog and greenery, reflecting Wadi Darbat's readiness to host high-quality projects that enrich the tourist experience.
