Muscat – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has embarked on promoting Dhofar’s spring season through the lens of 13 local and GCC photographers.

Spring starts in Dhofar on September 21 just as khareef ends. Locally called ‘al sarb’, it continues till December 21.

Called ‘Kashtat Dhofar’, or ‘A Picnic in Dhofar’, the initiative aims to promote all tourist and heritage sites in the governorate during al sarb.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Haitham Tabook, head of Public Relations and Media Department in the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar, said, “The ministry, in cooperation with 13 photographers from Oman and the GCC launched the initiative with an aim to promote tourist sites in Dhofar.”

He informed that the photographers are travelling across Dhofar from September 18 to 21 to photograph and make videos of its tourist attractions.

“The initiative aims to mark the spring season in Dhofar where breathtaking scenery unfold in the mountains, plains and deserts. Once the fog dissipates, which is the first sign of Al Sarb season, tourists flock to Dhofar to enjoy the fine weather, the cool breeze and watch colorful flowers,” said Tabook.

Said al Shuaily, one of the Omani photographers participating in the initiative, said, “We have divided the team into groups and are visiting more than 20 tourist and heritage sites, including the Mirbat Fortress, Jabal Samhan, Teeq Cave and Tawi Ateer Sinkhole.”

He added that the photos and videos are put on social media to promote tourism in Dhofar. “We hope this helps attract more tourists from inside and outside Oman.

“We are planning to host an exhibition to showcase the photographs on Wednesday, September 21. The exhibition will continue for several days.”

Shuaily added that the initiative will not be limited to Dhofar. “We hope to have similar initiatives for other places in the sultanate. We are also planning to do this again next year to bring photographers from around the world to promote tourism.”