Salalah – Wadi Darbat, one of Dhofar’s most visited natural attractions during khareef, is increasingly becoming a showcase for Omani entrepreneurship, with youth-led ventures turning the wadi’s seasonal appeal into tourism businesses and jobs.

Hospitality facilities, rural rest houses, cabins, cafés, boating services and adventure activities have expanded across the area as visitor numbers rise during the monsoon season.

Many of the businesses are also incorporating Omani crafts, food products and traditional design, creating additional opportunities for productive families and local artisans.

Salem bin Mohammed Al Mashani, owner of Darbat Countryside Rest House, said his project was designed to reflect rural Omani identity through natural materials such as wood and clay.

It also showcases products including ghee, honey, pottery and traditional handicrafts.

“Our aim is to support craftsmen and productive families while giving visitors an experience rooted in the local environment,” he said.

Nearby, Darbat Huts has grown from three cabins when it opened five years ago into a broader tourism operation offering electronic booking, food services and upgraded facilities.

Owner Saeed bin Mahad Al Mashani said the project had also created opportunities for Omanis while placing emphasis on local plants and environmental protection.

In the food and beverage sector, Molo Darbat café, launched in 2022, has capitalised on the valley’s scenery and the growing influence of social media.

Owner Hamed bin Alawi Baamer said the venue had become popular with visitors seeking scenic settings for photography and content creation, helping promote Wadi Darbat online.

One of the wadi’s longest-running ventures has seen even sharper growth. Mohammed bin Mohsen Al Maamari started Darbat Park Boats with just three boats in 2008. The operation now has more than 85 boats and employs 48 people, including 33 Omanis.

The business has also added hospitality facilities and a café to handle larger visitor numbers and reduce waiting times.

Adventure tourism is expanding too. Dhofar Tourism and Investment Company’s zipline project, launched in 2022, is being developed this year with four outbound and four return lines.

Co-founder Abdul Hakim bin Amer Al Mashani said the expansion is expected to create about 72 seasonal jobs while strengthening Dhofar’s position in adventure tourism.

Together, the ventures illustrate how Wadi Darbat’s khareef season is evolving beyond sightseeing, with local businesses building tourism experiences around nature, culture and outdoor recreation.