Dubai— At a press conference held alongside its participation in the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, the Sultanate of Oman introduced the events and activities planned for the “Kareef Dhofar 2025” season, which will present a wide range of cultural and tourism experiences. This season is scheduled to begin with the astronomical onset of autumn on June 21 and continue until September 20 annually.
Dr. Ahmed Mohsen Al Ghassani, the Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, noted that both the main events and accompanying activities this year will take place across both continually developing existing locations and brand-new venues, providing visitors with unique experiences.
He shared that the “Return of the Past” segment this year will adopt a fresh approach that highlights Omani traditions and lifestyles from different regions of the Sultanate of Oman. Planned activities will encompass folk art performances, heritage markets, and displays of handicrafts. He remarked that last year’s edition was notably successful and received wide acclaim from both attendees and participants.
Dr. Al Ghassani mentioned that the venue has been significantly upgraded to enhance its heritage appeal, merging past charm with contemporary relevance. Future enhancements are intended to establish the site as a prominent heritage attraction.
He noted that “Ateen Square” is set to become a central point for significant entertainment events and performances, following the impressive success of prior editions that drew in large crowds. The area will function as an international events hub, featuring a comprehensive shopping district, an outdoor theater, a state-of-the-art gaming zone, new light and laser displays, as well as modern dining options—cementing its role as a top cultural and entertainment venue.
Dr. Al Ghassani pointed out that Awqad Park will serve as a family entertainment zone, hosting activities designed for both children and their parents, with a unique theme planned for this year. Additionally, “Up Town” located on Ateen Plain will make its debut with a variety of events catering to all age demographics.
He noted that Salalah Public Park will offer numerous sports activities during the autumn season, welcoming participation from individuals of all ages, including those with disabilities. Meanwhile, “Al Murooj Theater” will focus on cultural programming, showcasing theatrical performances from local, Gulf, and Arab artists.
The municipality intends to broaden the range of events to include coastal Wilayats influenced by the autumn season, featuring a mix of cultural, sports, and commercial activities. Development initiatives—including enhancing scenic viewpoints, tourist attractions, road improvements, and urban beautification—are being carried out in partnership with both government and private sectors to elevate visitor experiences and tourism facilities, he added.
In his remarks, Azzan Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to promoting “Khareef Dhofar 2025” through various programs within a coordinated framework involving relevant authorities.
He also mentioned that several new tourism and hotel establishments are set to open this year in Dhofar, where a total of 83 licensed hotels—boasting 6,537 rooms—are already prepared to receive guests.
The ministry has initiated promotional activities for the season, commencing with its involvement in the Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai. This includes a press conference aimed at unveiling significant events. The marketing strategies encompass media outreach, social media advertising, direct engagement within Gulf and regional markets, digital marketing, as well as familiarization excursions for travel agencies, media groups, and influencers, he noted.
He mentioned that specially curated tourism packages have been developed in partnership with both local and international travel firms to improve visitor experiences and enhance inbound tourism by linking Omani tourism organizations with worldwide markets.
Every year, both government and private organizations prepare extensively to host tourists during the Khareef Dhofar season, ensuring that essential services and amenities are available.
The National Centre for Statistics and Information reports that the number of visitors to Dhofar during the khareef season of 2024 increased by 9%, totaling around 1. 048 million tourists.
Additionally, Dhofar is known for hosting two other distinctive seasons—Al-Sarb and winter—which draw nearly half a million tourists from around the globe.
