Muscat – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism will organise several events and programmes in the next few months as part of its efforts to make Dhofar governorate a tourist destination for all seasons.

Khalid bin Abdullah al Abri, director general in Directorate of Heritage and Tourism, Dhofar, informed that the ministry, in cooperation with Dhofar Municipality and Oman Cycling Association, will organise Salalah Cycling Tour – a mountain race in mid-September and an Iron Man event from September 22 to 24.

Abri added that more than 750 contestants from 78 countries will participate in Iron Man, featuring three races – swimming 1.9km, cycling 90km, and running 21km.

According to Abri, the ministry launched a promotional campaign for khareef this year and supported many youth marketing initiatives, hosting influencers on social media, as well as communicating with partners to launch direct flights to Dhofar.

“The ministry will organise a special event for photographers from the sultanate and abroad soon. It is also focusing on conference tourism after khareef and the beginning of al sarb season, which will start at the end of September,” Abri said.

The ministry will launch a frankincense season event in Samharam Archaeological Park in October and the second edition of the Empty Quarter Festival in January 2023.

“The ministry, in cooperation with Dhofar Municipality and Omran Group, is implementing a number of new tourism projects in Dhofar, including the Hamreer Talalat project, the Ain Garziz development project, the Ittin Gardens camping sites project, and the Al Mughsail Beach project.”

Referring to the events hosted this year, which were received well, Abri informed that the ministry, in cooperation with Oman Automobile Association and Dhofar Municipality, organised sports and entertainment events such as Karting Circuit, Oman Electronic Car Championship, Khareef Dhofar Drift Duo Challenge, and Super Cars Show.

In the heritage sector, the ministry opened up private sector investments in Kot al Askar, Kot Hamran, Rakhyut Fort and the waterfront of Al Baleed Archaeological Park.