Muscat – More than 100,000 people visited the Jabal Akhdar Festival between its opening on July 15 and the end of the month, providing a boost to tourism and local businesses in the mountain wilayat.

Running until August 29, the 45-day festival combines entertainment, cultural and sporting activities with tourism experiences and dedicated outlets for small and medium enterprises, productive families and farmers.

The event is organised by Dakhliyah governorate in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, with OQ Gas Networks as strategic partner.

A total of 95 participants, including SMEs, farmers, restaurants, cafés and local shops, are showcasing products and services. Organisers said the platform enables local businesses to benefit directly from the summer visitor season while supporting demand for Omani products.

The programme includes daily stage performances, a roaming carnival, a family oasis, youth and children’s areas, a cinema dome, inflatable games and a neon-themed attraction. A 3D hologram experience titled ‘Floating Provisions’ is also being presented for the first time in Dakhliyah.

Events scheduled during August include an appearance by the Drive More One sports car team, a walk through Jabal Akhdar’s villages, a sports caravan, traditional games, a running race, the Gulf Knights Gathering and a Fig and Olive Gathering highlighting the wilayat’s agricultural heritage.

Ahmed bin Salem Al Toubi, Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs in Dakhliyah governorate, said the festival had become a seasonal driver of economic activity by attracting visitors and creating marketing opportunities for SMEs, farmers and productive families.

He said the governorate was developing the event as an integrated platform linking tourism, commerce, culture and sport.

Pottery maker Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Riyami said the festival has enabled him to explain the stages and cultural value of the traditional craft while selling directly to visitors.

Nursery owner Hatem bin Rashid Al Fahdi said participation has helped introduce Jabal Akhdar’s plants and agricultural products to a broader customer base.