Omanis top the charts as 2024 Khareef season recorded over 1 million visitors

MUSCAT : According to the latest statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the biggest increase came from Omani visitors, whose numbers surged by 70.1% to 734,588 visitors.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries also saw an increase of 16.9%, reaching 176,643 visitors, while visitors from other Arab nations rose by 3.6% to 37,790.
Dhofar’s lush monsoon season continued to attract international tourists, with Asian visitors increasing by 8.3% (86,678 tourists) and European arrivals rising by 0.5% (7,992 visitors). Even travelers from other regions saw a slight bump, with 4,060 visitors recorded in 2024.
Most tourists—794,596 visitors—arrived via land routes, reflecting a notable increase from 722,795 visitors in 2023. Meanwhile, air arrivals totaled 253,155 visitors, compared to 239,401 the previous year.

Dhofar’s tourism boom comes as new attractions and infrastructure projects have transformed the governorate. Investments by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Dhofar Municipality, and Omran Group have led to the development of Darbat and Hamrir viewpoints, Al Mughsail waterfront, Ain Jarziz, and projects in Mirbat and Rakhyut.

A comprehensive marketing campaign helped drive the surge in visitors, with billboards across Oman and GCC countries, influencer partnerships, and media coverage. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism’s efforts included international media collaborations, promotional campaigns on social media, and familiarization trips for travel companies.

Officials attribute this year’s record-breaking numbers to enhanced accessibility, increased flights to Salalah, and the exceptional charm of Dhofar’s misty monsoon season.