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Auna: With the arrival of the 2024 Khareef season in Dhofar, the Al Dhahirah Governorate, especially Ibri Governorate, has seen a significant increase in tourism and trade activities. This surge is mainly due to tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as Ibri is located near the White Quarter border crossing connecting the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition, tourists arriving through Buraimi Governorate use al Dhahirah as a rest stop on their journey to Dhofar for vacation.
Ali bin Khamis al Sudairi, Assistant Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in Al Dhahira Governorate, explained that during the Khareef season, there is an increasing demand for hotels in Ibri Governorate from tourists from GCC countries. He pointed out that Ibri Governorate has become a transit point for tourists passing through the land border crossings, contributing to the economic and tourism boom in Al Dhahira Governorate.
He added that the tourism sector in Al Dhahirah province has seen significant growth in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The number of hotels and accommodation facilities in the province increased from 32 last year to 45, a growth rate of 41%. In addition, the number of guests in hotels and accommodation facilities increased to 17,943, a growth rate of 74%. The number of hotel rooms increased to 328, a growth rate of 16%.
In addition, some tourists expressed satisfaction with the facilities and services in Ibri Governorate. Hussein Ibrahim from Qatif Governorate, Saudi Arabia, said that the hotel prices were very reasonable considering the available services. He confirmed that this was his sixth trip to Dhofar Governorate with his family, using Ibri Governorate as a rest stop, where they stayed, refueled and replenished supplies on the road.
Likewise, Saad Abdulaziz al Ruwaished from Al-Ahsa Governorate in Saudi Arabia also highlighted the safety and flexibility that the road provides as they travel between governorates and provinces in the Sultanate of Oman. He added that Ibri Governorate has become a rest stop on their way to Dhofar.
During this period, there was a noticeable increase in the activities of GCC tourists in the governorates, who explored the tourist attractions, popular markets and historical sites in the governorate. This trend suggests that the governorate could become an important tourist destination in the itinerary of tourists during the Khareef season in Dhofar Governorate, attracting tourists from different countries, GCC residents and visitors passing through the land border checkpoints.
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