Latest news with #Khareef2025
Observer
13 hours ago
- Observer
CDAA intensifies inspections at Khareef tourism sites
Salalah - The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) has intensified its field efforts in Dhofar Governorate during the Khareef 2025 to enhance safety measures as the season is witnessing a growing influx of visitors from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman. CDAA has strengthened its field presence by deploying specialized teams to a number of tourist and natural sites, such as valleys, beaches, mountainous areas, and waterfalls. This is aimed at ensuring a rapid response to any emergency, securing sites, and providing rescue and ambulance services, ensuring everyone's safety, and enhancing the sense of security and reassurance among visitors and residents. The Authority also continues its awareness-raising efforts through its advisory and awareness programs targeting visitors and the local community, to educate them about potential hazards in natural sites, emphasizing the importance of adhering to public safety guidelines and avoiding dangerous behaviors that could put lives at risk. The Authority stresses the importance of visitors adhering to safety measures, avoiding approaching dangerous areas, such as valleys, during weather fluctuations, and refraining from risking crossings or camping in unsafe areas, to ensure their safety and that of their families. It also emphasizes the need to cooperate with field teams and follow instructions issued by the relevant authorities, ensuring everyone has a safe and stable time during the Dhofar Khareef season 2025. These include civil protection teams responsible for inspections and ensuring that tourist facilities and establishments comply with safety and risk prevention requirements; ambulance teams specializing in providing emergency medical care at accident sites and ensuring the rapid transfer of injured persons to healthcare facilities; water rescue teams that secure beaches and marine sites and respond immediately to drowning incidents; and mountain rescue teams that conduct search and rescue operations in mountainous areas and difficult terrain to ensure rapid access to stranded and injured persons. These teams operate according to established plans aimed at protecting lives and preserving property, in line with the Authority's aspirations to provide its services with high efficiency and professionalism.
Times of Oman
06-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Consumer Protection Authority steps up efforts for 2025 Khareef season
Muscat: The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) in Dhofar Governorate is intensifying its efforts through a comprehensive field awareness campaign under the slogan 'Your trust is our destination'. The campaign coincides with the 2025 Khareef Tourism Season and aligns with the broader strategy launched by the Dhofar Governor's Office and Oman Vision 2040. Dr Taie bin Salem Al Junaibi, Acting Director General of Consumer Protection in Dhofar, stated that the Authority is conducting field campaigns to verify suppliers' and vendors' compliance with regulations and controls. It also aims to curb misleading commercial practices that may target visitors or residents during the Khareef season, while strengthening communication channels with consumers to receive and efficiently address reports and complaints. Dr Al Junaibi explained that the campaign, launching this July, includes various field activities across the governorate — including in shopping malls, tourist sites, community institutions, and the Authority's office in Atin, which will be open to visitors from July until the end of September. The campaign targets a wide audience, with a special focus on visitors, families, and children. The campaign will feature a range of awareness-raising methods, including interactive booths, workshops, and visual presentations. Additionally, several modern technological tools will be used, such as virtual reality (VR) glasses, interactive screens, and educational tablets to introduce children to the 'Young Consumer' app. Children will also engage with colourable drawings and other interactive activities designed to promote the concepts of conscious consumption and consumer rights, alongside entertainment segments held in open spaces. A mobile exhibition showcasing prohibited and non-compliant goods will also tour the area, using real-life examples to raise awareness of potential dangers and teach consumers how to verify product safety. Smart stands will be installed at Salalah Airport and the Harit border crossing, offering digital codes that provide direct access to campaign information and the Authority's e-services. Awareness billboards will also be placed along public roads and in major markets. The Authority will also organise the second Consumer Protection Forum under the theme 'Foundations and rights of tourists and residents'. The forum will explore consumer protection issues specific to the Khareef season, with a focus on the needs and rights of tourists and residents—two key pillars of Dhofar's commercial and tourism activity. Dr Al Junaibi further stated that inspection visits to markets in Dhofar during the first half of 2025 totalled 19,582, with 14,317 visits made to establishments. The Directorate received 555 consumer complaints during this period, achieving a 97% resolution rate, and 214 reports, with a 99% resolution rate. The Consumer Protection Authority is committed to fostering collaboration with various public and private entities through coordinated efforts, shared roles, and logistical and informational support. These efforts aim to ensure a successful tourism season and deliver a positive, integrated experience for both visitors and residents.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Khareef 2025 welcomes tourists to Salalah
Eco-friendly tourism projects add a new element of environment consciousness to revelry surrounding Khareef 2025, uplifting the soul of Salalah Driven by a firm belief in the potential of Omani youth and a deep passion for tourism, Nader bin Bakhit Fadhel, from the Wilayat of Salalah, is reshaping the landscape of sustainable, family-friendly tourism in Dhofar Governorate — beginning with the Khareef season this year. Central to his recent efforts is a newly signed agreement with the Environment Authority to develop the Khor Al Mughsail Nature Reserve, a project aimed at enhancing the region's ecotourism offerings while safeguarding its unique biodiversity. 'This project is close to my heart,' Nader told Muscat Daily. 'It aligns perfectly with my long-term vision to create sustainable tourism opportunities in Salalah.' Nader's tourism journey began in 2022 with the launch of Lamer Al Mughsail, a youth-led initiative rooted in Dhofar and focused on enriching the visitor experience during the Khareef season. Spanning 6,000sqm, the initiative takes its name from the sea adjacent to Al Mughsail — a tribute to the natural beauty of the area. Located along the scenic coast of Al Mughsail, the project has grown into a well-known destination during the monsoon season, offering a thoughtful mix of recreation and hospitality for visitors of all ages. Managed entirely by a local Omani enterprise and supported by private sector partners, Lamer Al Mughsail features restaurants and cafés serving international and Omani cuisines, a children's play area, a man-made waterfall, boating experiences, and beach seating facilities. 'The idea was simple,' said Nader. 'Create a space where nature and tourism co-exist in harmony, while contributing to the local economy.' Building on this success, Nader's latest venture — the development of Khor Al Mughsail Nature Reserve — will extend over 7,700sqm. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q3 of 2025 and the project will feature a 120m zipline, water activities, eco-education zones, and food and beverage outlets, all designed to blend seamlessly with the site's natural surroundings. Sanctuary for biodiversity Situated at the eastern edge of Jabal Al Qamar, Khor Al Mughsail covers over half a square kilometre and plays a crucial role as a habitat for both local and migratory bird species. With rich food sources available throughout the year, the lagoon attracts birds from regions as far-flung as Africa, Europe, and the Indian subcontinent — underscoring its importance on the global avian migratory route. Despite his growing recognition, Nader's journey has not been without obstacles. 'In the beginning, securing funding and navigating environmental regulations was extremely challenging,' he said. 'Many viewed the Khareef season as too short to warrant significant investment. But I believed in the vision and stayed committed.' By forming strategic partnerships with private investors and public institutions, and by training local youth to take active roles in the venture, Nader developed a tourism model that champions sustainability and community development. 'Working with small and medium enterprises helped us instill a shared sense of purpose,' he said. 'Today, we're not just building tourism projects, we're building local capacity and empowering the next generation.' Inspiring the next generation Nader's message to young Omanis is clear – stay resilient, think big, and believe in your ideas. 'Start small, but always think big. There will be challenges, but with persistence, teamwork, and a deep belief in Oman's untapped potential, you can make a lasting impact,' he asserts. As Dhofar continues to attract thousands of visitors each Khareef season, Nader's work stands as a shining example of what can be accomplished when community engagement, conservation, and innovation intersect. One project at a time, he is helping transform Salalah into a sustainable tourism hub — led by Omanis, for Omanis, and for the world. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
