Dhofar: In the coming days, Dhofar Governorate will lower the curtain on the activities of the Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) Season 2026, following a season rich with diverse programs distributed across various tourist destinations and wilayats of the governorate, encompassing a broad package of activities and events that provided ample space to display youth projects and promote Omani products.
According to Oman News Agency, Ammar Aoubad Ghawas, Director of the Department of Events and Awareness at Dhofar Municipality, stated that the municipality was keen to offer a renewed and diverse season that combines Omani identity with a global vision, creating an impact extending beyond entertainment to culture, society, economy, tourism, and investment, thereby enhancing Dhofar Governorate's standing as a leading tourist destination.
Ghawas added that the season featured more than 300 events and programs ranging across arts, culture, entertainment, and sports, in addition to heritage events, international shows, and global festivals. This diversity reflects the municipality's direction toward offering multifaceted experiences catering to the varying interests of visitors and age groups, while conferring unique identities and experiences upon event sites.
Regarding the economic impact of the season, Ghawas explained that the municipality was keen to provide marketing opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and highlight Omani products across various event sites. The number of benefiting projects reached 1,742, while the number of job-seeking beneficiaries reached 4,215.
He said that these figures reflect an aspect of the economic and social impact of the season, which goes beyond organizing events to providing opportunities to participate in and benefit from the accompanying economic activity. This supports promising national small and medium enterprises and projects and creates competitive marketing spaces for them to establish their presence in the tourism, entertainment, and service sectors.
Ghawas affirmed that the municipality worked to expand the participation scope of youth initiatives and projects across event sites, including Al Ghareef, Osara, Nova, La Mer Al Mughsail, city center sites, Ittin Square, and Oudat Al Madhi (Return of the Past), alongside other sites in the wilayats of Taqah, Sadah, and Mirbat. Support was provided throughout the season, enhancing youth presence in the events sector and opening doors for their initiatives and projects to be showcased to a broad audience with interests from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
Cultural and heritage events focused on highlighting Omani heritage by reviewing lifestyles across various environments of Dhofar Governorate, simultaneously providing space to support productive families and national projects, promote local products, and involve Omani Women's Associations. This was alongside engaging small and medium enterprises, as well as local Omani performing arts and theatrical groups in delivering a number of events and programs.
Ammar Aoubad Ghawas stressed that through hosting international sports events during the Khareef season-such as the Tour of Salalah International and the Dhofar International Drag Race Championship-the municipality seeks to enhance the governorate's status as an attractive destination for regional and international sports championships and competitions.
The diversity of the Khareef Dhofar Season 2026 came along an innovative track that enhances integration between events, tourist and cultural assets, and economic aspects in the governorate, supports national institutions and initiatives, and makes the local community an active partner in plans for the season's success.