In Salalah, the total number of visitors to the Land of Frankincense sites, including Al Baleed and Samharam Archaeological Parks, Wadi Dawkah Nature Reserve, and Wabar Archaeological Site in Dhofar Governorate, reached 155,795 in 2024. Additionally, Taqah and Mirbat Forts attracted 9,313 visitors during the same period.
According to statistics released by the General Directorate of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar, Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Frankincense Land Museum welcomed 64,819 visitors last year, while Samharam Archaeological Park recorded 27,582 visitors. The Wabar Archaeological Site (Niyabat Al Shisr) in Thumrait received 13,394 visitors.
The data also revealed that Taqah Fort had 5,327 visitors, and Mirbat Fort saw 3,986 visitors in the same year.
These sites are currently undergoing enhancements through contracts recently signed by the ministry for the management and operation of these historical landmarks. The overall visitor count for these archaeological and historical sites reached 165,108, reflecting a 16 percent increase compared to 2023, with visitors coming from both within and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
The Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar attributed this growth in visitor numbers to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism's strategic initiatives aimed at promoting tourism events and improving the quality of tourism experiences in the region. Notably, the third edition of the frankincense season events attracted over 50,000 visitors from November 27 to December 6, 2024.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is actively pursuing new usufruct agreements for hotel and tourism initiatives in Dhofar Governorate, aiming for completion in 2025. This initiative aligns with the substantial growth observed in the sector and seeks to create diverse investment opportunities within the hospitality and tourism landscape of the region.
In 2024, the Ministry successfully signed usufruct contracts for the development of eight hotel projects across various classifications, which will be situated on tourist lands owned by the Ministry.
These projects are anticipated to enhance the tourism sector's infrastructure in the governorate and provide state-of-the-art facilities that cater to the needs of both local and international tourists.
It is important to highlight that Al Baleed, Samharam, Wabar, and Wadi Dawkah are recognized as World Heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the designation of the Land of Frankincense Sites.
