Khareef Dhofar 2026 kicks off, targeting more than one million visitors

The annual Khareef Dhofar 2026 season officially began in the Sultanate of Oman on Sunday. It will continue through September 21, featuring 125 cultural, artistic, sports, and entertainment events across multiple venues to enhance the tourism experience and attract more visitors. The southern governorate of Dhofar, located on the Arabian Sea about 1,000 kilometers from Muscat, relies on its unique seasonal climate and scenic landscapes to boost tourism and commercial activity. During the khareef season, lush greenery covers the region, mist blankets its mountains and drizzle creates a temperate atmosphere, particularly in Salalah. Dhofar boasts a diverse range of tourism assets, including mountain, agricultural, coastal and desert environments, in addition to archaeological and historical sites, beaches, lagoons, nature reserves, springs and waterfalls that serve as major attractions during the season. To showcase the 2026 season's activities and programs, Dhofar Municipality held a press conference highlighting efforts to strengthen the governorate's position as a global tourism destination and attract more domestic and international visitors after the number of tourists exceeded one million during last year's season. The municipality said it had prepared a comprehensive program covering sports, culture, arts, entertainment and heritage, including regional and international events as well as heritage activities reflecting Omani traditions and targeting visitors of all age groups. It added that this year's season will focus on giving each tourism site a unique cultural and entertainment identity inspired by its natural characteristics, helping diversify visitors' experiences across event locations. Major venues include Atin Square, featuring international performances and cultural activities, the modern waterfront area in Sahal Atin, the Health Garden at Salalah Public Park, Al-Murooj Theatre and Awqad Public Park. Other attractions include the Osara project at Raysut Beach, Nova Entertainment Village and the Samharam Heritage Village, offering family-oriented activities, restaurants, cafes, shopping outlets and recreational facilities. Special programs for children will include the "Children's Time" zone at Awqad Public Park, designed as an educational and entertainment city where children can explore different professions through practical activities. The "Children's University" initiative will also offer interactive educational programs aimed at developing skills and creativity. The cultural and artistic agenda includes musical, singing and choral performances, featuring heritage symphonies and choir groups from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt, in addition to international artistic shows and stand-up comedy performances by Arab entertainers. Sporting events will feature the Dhofar Marathon, drag racing competitions, the Salalah Cycling Tour and several races across the governorate, alongside a traditional weapons shooting championship at Samharam Village. Among the major international events scheduled are the second edition of the Dhofar International Theatre Festival from September 14 to 22, bringing together theatre artists and creatives from around the world, and the inaugural Dhofar International Sculpture Festival, which will host sculptors from various countries to create works inspired by Omani culture and the identity of Dhofar. Official data from Oman's National Centre for Statistics and Information showed that visitor spending during last year's season reached OMR 125 million (USD 325 million), up 3.3 percent compared with the 2024 season. Dhofar's traditional products, including Omani frankincense, incense, silverware, pottery and Omani sweets, continue to attract strong demand. Salalah's fertile plains are also known for producing tropical fruits such as coconuts, bananas, papayas and sugarcane. Tourism authorities expect visitor numbers to rise further this year, supported by direct flights to Salalah operated by several regional airlines, including Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways. According to official figures, more than 1.07 million visitors and tourists visited Dhofar during last year's khareef season, marking a 2.1 percent increase compared with 2024. Oman continues to pursue the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to increase tourism's contribution to gross domestic product to five percent, up from the current level of around three percent, amid continued growth indicators for the sector.