With the forthcoming khareef season in Dhofar, a region renowned for its lush landscapes and pleasant weather, the authorities are gearing up for a large influx of visitors. The Dhofar Municipality along with other authorities such as Nama Dhofar Services and Salalah Airport have drawn up extensive plans to make tourists comfortable during their holidays in the governorate.

In light of the preparations, Muscat Daily asked readers what services and events do they want the authorities to organise for a perfect holiday and to attract the largest number of visitors during khareef in Dhofar. Here is what readers have to say about the issue.

Ruskeen S

Sales Manager

There must be more services for the Gulf visitors and more of family and children entertainment activities. Not so well-to-do and non-driving travellers should feel more encouraged to visit the region through affordable accommodation with sharing car facilities.

Sahaya Vijay

QA/QC Engineer

There must be more rest rooms in public areas. Also there must be enough signboards with good display of nearby tourist spots.

Sanarab Kazi

Housewife

I suggest hotels to keep their room rents flexible and not so high; because every time during the khareef season, room rents surge. Also, there must be more of local food stalls to attract more people.

Michael Dsouza

Photographer

I would request to have the flight fares from Muscat to Salalah not to soar so high and instead they should be reduced and more flights to be added to the sector.

Mohammed Nadeem

Investor

The place has been gifted by God with such an amazing weather, I think the government has to start developing good restaurants at tourist sites with pest control systems. Having roads with more safety to connect them and easy to locate hotels would be a good option. They should build hotels near the tourist areas. Building malls is also a great point of attraction.

Mike Omotegbona Kosie

Businessman

The monsoon season in Salalah can be enjoyed more by organising traditional folklore and dances, horse racing, picnics, camping events, sports and leisure activities. Invite or bring in some international music stars, especially from Nigeria and America. Boost the tourism industry by leveraging on the season. Relax some restrictions and improve security.

Abida Shamsher

Housewife

Khareef is almost there, I would like to encourage hotels, particularly those with beautiful views, to keep their rents reasonable so that more tourists can visit Dhofar and enjoy the weather and picturesque sights there.

Anzila Ashraf

Online tutor

A reasonable airfare would be a great option. Make a proper help desk, a WhatsApp number or an active online portal to cater to the inquiries. Highlight all the attractions in Salalah, make the locals pitch in. Ask the locals to act as tourist guides, ask them to post things about the different tourist locations online. Organise a traditional fair showcasing local cuisines, traditional dresses, dance and music. Public skits can be organised to show the history of our sultanate. Have a webpage for registering the tourists, coming by air or road. A contest or a lucky draw every week or day to those registering on the web page. Prizes can be a dinner or a BBQ arranged or gift coupons from any business house in Salalah. Frankincense is one God’s gift to Oman. Let it be highlighted and make more people visit the museum. Let there be gift boxes given to every 100th person visiting the museum. People need to be acknowledged and given free things that would compel them to visit these places. If the water park can be opened, that would also draw a good crowd. Let there be a photo booth in the most visited places. Give the tourists local dress to wear and click photos. Let the traditional dress be given to the men including ‘khanjar’ and the women with ornaments.