Salalah beckons as Khareef season starts - With the Khareef season officially commencing today, the Governorate of Dhofar is ready to welcome visitors from the Arabian Gulf and outside.

Times of Oman 21/6/2009

The National Economy Ministry in collaboration with the Tourism Ministry and Royal Oman Police (ROP) has already begun keeping track of Khareef visitors, officials said.

Last year, the ministries registered 450,511 footfalls — an increase of 24 per cent as compared to 2007
— in Salalah, which turns into the ‘Switzerland of the Gulf’ during the season.

The survey identifies the volume of domestic and foreign tourists, besides studying the demographical
and economic features of visitors and their expenses in the Governorate of Dhofar.

The mountains surrounding the towns and coastal wilayats of Dhofar are draped in fog at dawn and dusk during the season, which lasts till around September 21.

The monsoon rain leaves the coastal plains green, which drives people across the Gulf to this region to escape the severe heat.

The cool breeze and drizzle during the day and the extremely low temperatures during the season enchants families to experience nature, relax.

The governorate is renowned for its agricultural land that is rich in variant agricultural products including coconut, banana, papaya,
sugarcane, besides beautiful lagoons, natural sanctuaries, a rich animal and marine resources.

All visitors to Dhofar are surveyed via Hirait road entry and Salalah airport.