Latest news with #SalalahAirport
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
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.
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Passenger traffic at Salalah Airport rises by 6.7%
Muscat: Passenger traffic at Salalah Airport recorded a notable increase of 6.7% by the end of May 2025, reaching 557,298 passengers, compared to 522,224 during the same period in 2024. This growth comes amid varying trends in traffic across Oman's major airports, as reported in preliminary statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Nationwide, the total number of passengers traveling through Oman's airports — Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, and Duqm — reached approximately 5.79 million by the end of May 2025. This reflects a 3% decrease compared to 5.97 million passengers in the same period of 2024. Muscat International Airport remained the busiest, handling 5.21 million passengers, down from 5.39 million the previous year, marking a 3.5% decline. Flight operations at the airport also declined by 7.5%, with 37,307 flights recorded compared to 40,322 flights in the corresponding period last year. While Salalah Airport posted growth in passenger numbers, it experienced a slight drop in total flight operations, with 3,717 flights recorded — a 0.3% decline compared to 3,730 flights in May 2024. Sohar Airport, however, saw a dramatic downturn in activity, with a 98.8% drop in passenger traffic. Only 336 passengers used the airport by the end of May 2025, compared to 27,350 during the same period in 2024. Flights at Sohar also fell sharply by 63.7%, totaling 82, compared to 226 the previous year. At Duqm Airport, operations showed marginal declines. Passenger traffic dropped by 1.2%, reaching 25,371, down from 25,675 in May 2024. Flight operations also saw a slight decrease of 1.5%, recording 256 flights compared to 260 flights a year ago. In terms of nationality, Indian nationals topped the list of most frequent travelers through Muscat International Airport during May 2025. A total of 193,861 passengers were recorded, comprising 85,447 arrivals and 108,414 departures. Omani nationals followed, with 108,916 passengers (54,086 arrivals and 54,830 departures), while Pakistani nationals ranked third with 46,930 passengers, including 21,267 arrivals and 25,663 departures. The data reflects both regional growth trends and shifting travel dynamics across Oman's aviation sector. Further updates are expected in the coming months as seasonal travel patterns evolve. Observer Web Team
Observer
14-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Passenger traffic at Salalah Airport rises by 6.7%
Muscat: Passenger traffic at Salalah Airport recorded a notable increase of 6.7% by the end of May 2025, reaching 557,298 passengers, compared to 522,224 during the same period in 2024. This growth comes amid varying trends in traffic across Oman's major airports, as reported in preliminary statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Nationwide, the total number of passengers traveling through Oman's airports — Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, and Duqm — reached approximately 5.79 million by the end of May 2025. This reflects a 3% decrease compared to 5.97 million passengers in the same period of 2024. Muscat International Airport remained the busiest, handling 5.21 million passengers, down from 5.39 million the previous year, marking a 3.5% decline. Flight operations at the airport also declined by 7.5%, with 37,307 flights recorded compared to 40,322 flights in the corresponding period last year. While Salalah Airport posted growth in passenger numbers, it experienced a slight drop in total flight operations, with 3,717 flights recorded — a 0.3% decline compared to 3,730 flights in May 2024. Sohar Airport, however, saw a dramatic downturn in activity, with a 98.8% drop in passenger traffic. Only 336 passengers used the airport by the end of May 2025, compared to 27,350 during the same period in 2024. Flights at Sohar also fell sharply by 63.7%, totaling 82, compared to 226 the previous year. At Duqm Airport, operations showed marginal declines. Passenger traffic dropped by 1.2%, reaching 25,371, down from 25,675 in May 2024. Flight operations also saw a slight decrease of 1.5%, recording 256 flights compared to 260 flights a year ago. In terms of nationality, Indian nationals topped the list of most frequent travelers through Muscat International Airport during May 2025. A total of 193,861 passengers were recorded, comprising 85,447 arrivals and 108,414 departures. Omani nationals followed, with 108,916 passengers (54,086 arrivals and 54,830 departures), while Pakistani nationals ranked third with 46,930 passengers, including 21,267 arrivals and 25,663 departures. The data reflects both regional growth trends and shifting travel dynamics across Oman's aviation sector. Further updates are expected in the coming months as seasonal travel patterns evolve.
Observer
14-07-2025
- Observer
Eco-walk unites community for nature conservation
SALALAH: A major environmental conservation initiative kicked off in Dhofar Governorate on Saturday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the Society for the Conservation of Nature, organised an eco-walk along the scenic Ayn Ghayth hiking trail. The event, which saw enthusiastic participation from community members, aimed to foster a spirit of cooperation and promote a healthy lifestyle while emphasising the essential mission of environmental conservation. Participants set off from Salalah Airport in 4x4 vehicles, heading toward Ayn Ghayth, a picturesque 5-kilometre trail featuring a stunning waterfall and a natural pool. Along the trail, each participant actively contributed by scattering seeds from 21 native plant species, symbolising a collective effort to revive and sustain Dhofar's rich flora. The initiative concluded with the planting of a small fig (tin) tree, carefully protected with stones and shrubs following the ancient tradition of the Jebali people of Dhofar to safeguard young plants from animals. This initiative is a vital step towards repopulating the vegetation in Dhofar's mountains and wadis, while also serving as an important reminder to both residents and visitors of the critical importance of preserving and respecting the environment.
Times of Oman
14-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Passenger traffic at Salalah Airport increases by 6.7% by end of May 2025
Muscat: The total number of passengers through Oman's airports (Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, and Duqm Airport), reached approximately 5,790,010 million passengers by the end of May 2025, compared to 5,968,622 during the same period in 2024, reflecting a 3% decline, according to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Muscat International Airport handled 5,207,005 million passengers by the end of May 2025, compared to 5,393,373 in the same period of the previous year, recording a decrease of 3.5%, and the number of flights also declined by 7.5% to 37,307 thousand flights, compared to 40,322 thousand flights in the same period of 2024. The data indicated that Salalah Airport recorded a 6.7% increase in the number of passengers, reaching 557,298 thousand passengers by the end of May 2025, compared to 522,224 in the same period of 2024. However, the total number of flights recorded a slight decline of 0.3%, totaling 3,717 compared to 3,730 thousand flights by the end of May 2024. Sohar Airport recorded a sharp 98.8% drop in passenger traffic by the end of May 2025, with only 336 passengers, compared to 27,350 thousand passengers during the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of flights also declined by 63.7%, reaching 82 flights, compared to 226 flights by the end of May 2024. Duqm Airport also recorded a decline in flight operations by 1.5%, with 256 flights compared to 260 in the same period in previous year, while the Passenger numbers at the same airport fell by 1.2%, totaling 25,371 thousand passengers by the end of May 2025, compared to 25,675 in May 2024. The statistics revealed that Indian nationals topped the list of most frequent travelers (arrivals and departures) through Muscat International Airport during May 2025, with a total of 193,861 thousand passengers, including 85,447 thousand arrivals and 108,414 thousand departures. The Indian nationals' passengers were followed by Omani nationals' passengers with a total of 108,916 thousand passengers, including 54,086 thousand arrivals and 54,830 thousand departures, and Pakistani nationals came third with 46,930 thousand passengers, including 21,267 thousand arrivals and 25,663 thousand departures.
