
Tourist sites in South Al Batinah witness surge in visitors
Muscat: A number of tourist sites in the wilayats of South Al Batinah Governorate have witnessed increased activity over the past two days.
Ain Al Kasfa in the Wilayat of Rustaq has seen a large influx of visitors drawn by its natural hot springs. The spring remains a popular tourist destination, especially following recent developments. Restaurants and cafes near the spring have also experienced a rise in footfall.
Tourism has also been active in Nakhal, covering various tourist, archaeological, and historical sites such as Nakhal Fort and Ain Al Thawara. The Jabal Al Luban Trail has recorded a significant increase in visitors due to its unique terrain and rich ecological diversity. Located along the road to Ain Al Thawara, one of the area's key tourist attractions, the trail introduces visitors to the local flora and provides an opportunity for hiking.
In the Wilayat of Wadi Al Ma'awil, the Hajarat Al Sheikh Walkway in the town of Afi has attracted a vibrant flow of tourists from within and outside the region. The project promotes tourism by connecting three significant heritage sites: Hajarat Al Sheikh Neighborhood, Al Safalah Castle, and Bait Al Ghasham Museum. The walkway allows visitors to explore these cultural landmarks, rich in Omani history, and passes by Falaj Al Washah amid green oases and palm groves, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and traditional heritage.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Times of Oman
9 hours ago
- Times of Oman
From misty mountains to lush valleys: Dhofar's Khareef Season begins Saturday
Muscat: The Khareef (monsoon) 2025 season in Dhofar will officially begin tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, 2025 affecting the coastal wilayats of the governorate—from Dhalkut in the west to Mirbat in the east—due to the onset of seasonal winds and cloud formations flowing in from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The season will continue until September 21. The Khareef is renowned for its cloudy, drizzly weather and moderate temperatures, especially in the elevated mountainous areas, which are often blanketed in mist and light rain. This unique climate transforms Dhofar into a stunning green landscape, making it a top destination for both local and international tourists. Throughout the season, water flow in the governorate's natural springs increases, with many becoming popular attractions, including Razat, Hamran, Jarziz, Sahalnoot, and Tabraq springs. Seasonal waterfalls like Darbat, Athum, Khor, Gogob, and Al-Hoota also flourish, depending on rainfall levels. Dhofar's natural and historical landmarks—including its diverse coastal, agricultural, mountainous, and desert environments—draw significant attention. Its UNESCO-listed sites, such as Al-Baleed and Samharam archaeological parks, the Land of Frankincense Museum, and ancient forts in Rakhyut, Taqah, Mirbat, and Sadah, are popular attractions. The region also boasts dreamy beaches, scenic lagoons, and nature reserves that offer sanctuary to rare wildlife and endangered ecosystems. During the Khareef, Salalah's shopping centres and markets experience high activity, especially in stores selling traditional Omani products such as frankincense, incense, silverware, pottery, Omani sweets, and local cuisine. The Salalah Plain also produces a rich variety of tropical fruits, with coconut (nargil), bananas, papayas, and sugarcane being the most popular. In anticipation of the influx of tourists, both public and private sectors prepare annually to provide convenient services and facilities, especially with several regional airlines announcing direct seasonal flights to Salalah Airport. Notably, Dhofar welcomed over 1.006 million visitors during the 2024 Khareef season—a 9% increase from 2023—with total visitor spending estimated at 120 million Omani rials, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information.


Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Dhofar's Khareef Season boosted by new Saudi Airlines route
Muscat: Salalah Airport in Dhofar Governorate today welcomed the inaugural Saudi Airlines flight from Jeddah, marking the commencement of three weekly flights between Salalah and Jeddah throughout the 2025 Dhofar Khareef (monsoon) season. Eng. Zakariya bin Yaqub Al-Harasi, Deputy CEO of Salalah Airport, affirmed the airport's comprehensive readiness to receive travellers during the bustling Khareef season. He highlighted the participation of 12 local and international carriers and projected a significant surge in passenger traffic and flight operations compared to last year. This increase is attributed to continuous efforts to enhance operational efficiency, upgrade service quality, and streamline travel procedures. Passenger numbers are expected to exceed 900,000 this season, a substantial increase from 692,626 in the previous year, representing a nearly 37% rise. This growth underscores the increasing appeal of Dhofar's tourism season and the expansion of air connectivity. Al-Harasi further detailed the diverse origins of incoming visitors, stating that the majority of travellers (62.5%) will come from within Oman, followed by 35.7% from GCC countries, and 1.8% from India. Air traffic at Salalah Airport is also set for a notable increase of 36%, with over 5,000 inbound and outbound flights expected, up from 3,869 flights in 2024. A key milestone this season is the addition of Saudi Airlines to the roster of carriers operating direct flights to Salalah. This move significantly enhances connectivity and tourism ties between Oman and Saudi Arabia, offering travellers more options. Al-Harasi also highlighted Oman Airports' continued investment in digital services to improve the travel experience, including the "Safar As'hal" ('Travel Made Easier') initiative, now in its second year. This initiative features self-service kiosks, pre-check-in services, and information centres, all aimed at reducing wait times and streamlining processes. Meanwhile, His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's accredited ambassador to Oman, praised the occasion as a reflection of the wise leadership in both nations and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He emphasized the economic, tourism, and cultural benefits of these air links in serving the mutual interests of the two countries. He noted that the inaugural Saudi flight to Salalah carried not only Saudi and Omani passengers but also travellers of various nationalities—underscoring the international dimension of this direct air route.


Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Creation of new job opportunities for citizens in tourism sector discussed
Muscat: The Media, Tourism, and Culture Committee of the Shura Council held its seventh meeting of the second annual session (2024–2025) of the tenth term on, chaired by Abdullah Hamad Al-Harthy. The session hosted Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, along with ministry officials, to discuss strategies for enhancing job localisation in the tourism sector and the establishment of integrated tourism cities and service stations for mobile homes. Al-Harthy welcomed the ministry representatives, highlighting the value of direct engagement with government bodies to exchange ideas and advance the tourism sector—one of Oman's key pillars for economic diversification under Vision 2040. The Undersecretary gave a detailed presentation on the tourism sector's latest performance indicators, including its contribution to GDP, growth in local and foreign investments, and the expansion of hospitality infrastructure. He also outlined future development plans, ongoing inter-agency coordination efforts, and challenges facing the sector. He emphasised the link between expanding tourism projects and creating new job opportunities for Omanis. The members raised questions regarding the ministry's job creation efforts, particularly in replacing expatriates in supervisory and managerial roles. They stressed the need for phased Omanisation targets in the hospitality sector that preserve service quality. Discussions also touched on establishing integrated service stations for mobile homes to support adventure and desert tourism, ensuring high standards of safety and accessibility. The concept of fully integrated tourism cities—with hotels, entertainment, retail, and services—was also explored as a means of attracting domestic and foreign investment. The committee praised the ministry's efforts in promoting tourism and local employment. It underscored the importance of cross-sector coordination, leveraging global best practices, and maximising Oman's unique cultural, natural, and heritage assets to strengthen the country's regional and international tourism competitiveness.