Salalah sees significant increase in winter tourist numbers

The latest charter flight returned from Salalah two days ago as the winter tourism season in Dhofar Governorate came to an end, with the governorate witnessing a significant increase in the number of winter tourists from all over the world.

According to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, as of April this year, a total of 469 charter flights were arranged in Dhofar Governorate, attracting 65,904 winter tourists.

The number of winter tourists in the province increased by 18.4 percent to 35,000 from the start of winter in October to February this year, according to records from the Ministry of Tourism.

Another 30,904 winter tourists arrived at Salalah International Airport between February and April.

Mehmet Tunc Mustecaplioglu, Regional General Manager of Orascom Hotel Management Company in Oman, confirmed the trend, saying that the overall winter occupancy rate of hotels in the Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) reached 95%. The room occupancy rate and inventory increased by 10% during the winter season.

An elated Mehmet Tunc said the resort would be able to provide better services and facilities for winter tourists in the coming years as it underwent several value-added works.

According to him, the Integrated Tourism Centre receives 90% of the winter charter tourists arriving in Salalah.

Charter operators to the winter destination of Salalah include: Meeting point (Germany); FTI (Germany); Itaka (Poland); Fischer Czech Republic; Satur (Slovakia); Hydro Tour (Slovakia); Alpi Tour (Italy); Der Turistik (Eastern Europe – Romania) and Ibusz (Hungary).

To meet the growing demand for hotel rooms in Dhofar, the governorate has identified more than 20 potential sites for new four- and five-star hotel projects. The goal is to increase the total number of hotel rooms from 6,000 to 7,000 by the end of this year.

To enhance Dhofar’s appeal as a first-class tourist destination, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is developing a promotion strategy for the Gulf and international markets. Upcoming events such as the Frankincense Season, the Season of the Sky and the Omani Culinary Arts Festival are expected to attract visitors from all walks of life and showcase the governorate’s rich cultural and natural heritage.