Dhofar, Muscat Due to a large influx of tourists drawn to the governorate's outstanding weather and natural scenery, there is an increase in economic activity in marketplaces and shopping centers throughout the 2025 Khareef Season. Tourism and retail are benefiting from this momentum, which is also giving the national economy a measurable boost.
Business is booming, from traditional souqs to modern shopping centers. Increased footfall at restaurants, cafes, hotels, and a variety of tourism and entertainment establishments is accompanied by strong demand at businesses selling local delicacies and handmade goods.
According to the Oman News Agency, the Khareef Season is a critical time for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to increase sales and expand their operations. They also stressed the need to encourage and promote locally produced goods in order to satisfy visitors' demands.
The owner of Bint Al Janoub, Nour bint Ali Al Yafei, stated that her home-based incense and perfumery business, which has been operating for more than 30 years, has expanded to offer women's apparel and premium Dhofari goods made from natural components. "To meet the increasing demand, particularly during the Khareef tourist season, when gifts are in high demand, we opened our first branch in Salalah in 2020 and a second in the Al Hafa district in 2024," she added.
Due to its wide range of products, including high-end chocolates, fresh flowers, and seasonal presents, Rami bin Muslim Al Kathiri, the founder of Dou Chocolate and Flowers, claims that his business has a lot of foot traffic during the season. He characterized the business as a thriving SME model that supports local business and adjusts to tourist seasons.
With an emphasis on quality and legacy derived from Omani frankincense, Aqeel bin Alawi Al Marzaa, the owner of Makkah Perfumes, described how his business began with a vision. Today, it manages more than 15 outlets throughout the Sultanate. "We own a specialized factory for extracting and exporting frankincense oil. We have developed over 150 perfume products alongside integrated perfume production lines catering to Gulf preferences," he said. In addition to their longevity, high quality, and authentic scents, he said that locally made perfumes are popular with tourists.
Tariq bin Salem Al Hosni, the proprietor of Al Hosni Omani Sweets, said that his decades-old business has grown to more than ten locations in Oman and many others throughout the GCC. "Our sweets reflect true Omani hospitality and are increasingly sought after during tourist seasons," he said, noting that tourists are keen to try and learn how to make traditional Omani sweets. The company was awarded a Guinness World Record for creating the biggest cake in the shape of the Sultanate's map on Oman's 45th National Day.
The Dhofar Khareef season is now regarded by many visitors and tourists as a favorite place to visit and a significant business center.
By providing goods and services that are in line with the governorate's identity and improve the visitor experience, Hilal bin Khalaf Al Sharaqi highlighted the significance of new businesses in revitalizing the local economy. To guarantee the success of these projects, he urged more institutional backing.
The seamless fusion of tradition and modernity at Hafa Beach Market was lauded by Abdullah bin Salem Al Ghaithi, who said, "The area is filled with a wonderful ambiance of perfumes, incense, sweets, and crafts. The shopping trip is made genuinely exceptional by light rain, he said.
The significant demand during Khareef for seasonal apparel, tropical fruits like coconuts, papayas, pomegranates, bananas, and mangoes, as well as camping and travel equipment, was highlighted by Majid bin Abdullah Al Shariqi. He called the season a turning point for the neighborhood economy.
Abdullah bin Amer Al Eisaei, a visitor to Salalah from the United Arab Emirates, emphasized the high quality of local goods and the well-run marketplaces, notably Al Hafa Beach Market, as major draws. He lauded the transparency in pricing and the existence of regulatory oversight, noting that Dhofar's mild climate continues to be its most notable quality at this time of year.
