Thursday 18 / April / 2024
Salalah: Dhofar governorate is currently experiencing a rainy Khareef “Monsoon” season.
134,000 people visited Salalah from the beginning of the season until last Friday, according to new data by the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
“Omanis made up 60 per cent of the total number of visitors,” the NCSI said.
The coastal wilayats in the Governorate of Dhofar (Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, Dhalkut and Rakhyut) are characterised by exceptional weather for three months from the end of June to the end of September.
There are many tourist sites frequented by visitors to enjoy the scenic, marvelous nature of Khareef season. Salalah is a destination for Omani and GCC families who prefer to spend summer vacations in the midst of greenery nature and mild weather.
Salalah is a coastal city, with its magnificent white beaches stretching over long distances, such as the beaches in Salalah, Raysut, A’Dahareez and Al Mughsail. These beaches are located close to nature reserves, Al Khiran, which are beautiful symbols of this nature in such diverse environment, which includes a unique variety of birds, fish and plants. Some of the beaches and streets are lined with coconut palm trees.
Salalah is an important agricultural area that has its own specialty in this area, producing tropical fruits, such as coconut, papaya, banana and sugarcane, which attract tourists and visitors.
Al Baleed Archaeological Park is one of the most important sites in the city of Salalah. It includes the Frankincense Land Museum, which offers a comprehensive view of the Sultanate during different ages. It also includes the historical Sumahram Archaeological Park and historic fortresses in the wilayats of Taqah, Mirbat and Sadah in the governorate.
Iteen Plain is one of the most important tourist sites in Salalah where there are many recreational facilities as the Municipality Recreational Centre (the headquarters of the Salalah Tourism Festival), which witnesses a great turnout for its various cultural, artistic, sports and recreational activities for adults and children, along with Al Murooj Theater, Omani cuisine restaurants, Iteen Walk and Oasis, Ateena Land Entertainment Park and Jarziz Spring.
Visitors to Iteen Plain are keen to climb to Iteen Mountain near the city of Salalah to enjoy the beauty of nature, rains and fog.
The water springs are considered one of the most beautiful tourist sites in Governorate of Dhofar. It is a natural sight that flows from the mountains during Khareef season. The Springs of Darbat, Razzat, Jarziz, Sahlnout, Hamran, Athom and Tabarq are beautiful tourist spots where there are a number of beautiful caves that appeal to the geologists and explorers. These sites are characterized by dense trees and are the most beautiful during Khareef season. For easy access to these places, they are provided with services and facilities that meet needs of visitors.
In Al Mughsail Beach, there is Al Marnif Cave overlooking the ocean where visitors enjoy watching the natural water fountains that rise in the air drawing beautiful forms of spray.
In addition to the Wilayat of Salalah, there are many important tourist sites to the visitor arriving in the Governorate of Dhofar that include visiting the coastal wilayats, such as Taqah, Mirbat, Rakhyut and Dhalkut, which all enjoy the characteristics of marvelous Khareef season.
In the Wilayat of Salalah, the visitor can closely view the traditions of marriage, as Khareef season is the wedding season in the Governorate of Dhofar. The traditional folklore arts, such as Al Habout, Al Baraa, Al Sharah, and Al Madar are some expressions of people reflecting their joys at various occasions.
The shopping malls in Salalah are also witnessing a remarkable development as they showcase traditional products and industries, especially the sale of frankincense, incense, handicrafts and sweets, as well as the agricultural products of which the governorate is famous for.
