Salalah – Dhofar Municipality, in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, has called on all owners of tourism establishments and providers of rental accommodation to register on approved digital booking platforms ahead of the 2026 khareef season.

The initiative is aimed at regulating the seasonal rental market, safeguarding the rights of visitors and service providers, and improving the quality and transparency of tourism services in the governorate, the municipality stated.

Authorities said accommodation providers should list their properties on the approved platforms – Sikka, Masarah or Valo – to ensure that bookings are conducted through recognised channels in line with the country’s tourism regulations.

The move is part of early preparations for the khareef season, which officially begins on June 21 and runs till September 21. Dhofar is expected to welcome large numbers of domestic and international visitors during the period, following a record turnout of more than 1.2mn tourists in the 2025 season.

Officials said the use of authorised booking platforms will help organise the daily rental market by documenting reservations, promoting transparency and ensuring that accommodation providers operate within the approved regulatory framework.

The authorities also urged visitors to book only through recognised platforms, review reservation and cancellation policies before confirming bookings, and avoid financial transactions outside official channels to protect their rights and ensure a secure travel experience.

The campaign is part of efforts to enhance the tourism experience in Dhofar by improving service standards and strengthening confidence in the governorate’s hospitality sector ahead of one of Oman’s busiest tourism seasons.

Dhofar currently has around 123 licensed hotel establishments offering approximately 8,438 rooms, providing significant accommodation capacity to meet the anticipated demand during khareef 2026.