OMAN: Nature And Heritage Make Tourism In Salalah Sustainable

The sustainability of Salalah as a major tourist destination in the Arab region is quite high as the destination has several natural attractions, which are being strengthened with modern amenities and facilities. Known earlier for three months of majestic Khareef season, Salalah has caught the imagination of European tourists for Winter tourism and if its resources are properly tapped the destination can emerge as a major revenue earner for the Sultanate.

This was the general reaction of the tourism experts in their comments to the Observer. The experts, ranging from Ministry of Tourism officials, hoteliers and hospitality managers, put thrust on the fact that Salalah has many natural attractions and the destination kept attracting visitors even when tourism did not develop as an organised sector.

To prove his point Khalid bin Mussalam al Rowas, Director-General of Tourism in Dhofar Governorate, said that he had recently honoured some tourists who spent in Salalah 1009, 600 and 500 nights respectively. “Had it not been sustainable they would not have come here time and again. There is something which attracts people, make them comfortable and feel safe and secured in the lap of nature.” “Today tourism has emerged as a proper sector and Salalah is on the international tourism map.

It, however, is a fact that the concept of organised tourism has started taking shape in 1980s and many tourists were coming here from the Gulf and other Arab countries,” said Al Rawas. According to Al Rawas, the Government of Oman outlining tourism as a key sector in the latest 5 Year Plan 2016-2020 and vision Oman 2040. He cited the National Centre for Statistics (NCSI), which suggested a record 500,000 tourists visited the Governorate from June to August 2015, showing a 21 per cent increase from the same period in 2014.

Confronting the idea of tourists relocating to other destinations in future, Ahmed Dabbous, CEO of Muriya, said “It takes time in getting a destination popular and once it is popular among the tourists and the facilities are in place, the tourists keep on pouring. And Salalah as a destination is quite sustainable for its combination of sea, mountain and desert.”

“Moreover the destination is rich in history and culture. Security and safety appeals them and they take home very positive memories from Oman. If you see the growth in tourist arrival besides those coming during Khareef season, the number is quite impressive. From one charter flight in 2005, Salalah has now 7 weekly charter flights and in all likelihood there would be 10 weekly charters by the end of the year,” he said.

The growth indicators, according to him, are quite high. “Now Salalah has an airport of international standards, more hotels rooms are available and many more are in the pipeline,” he said and endorsed the destination highly. Robert Zogbi, Chairman and CEO of UAE based Innovationz Hospitality Group FZE, also endorsed Salalah as a sustainable tourist destination and called for new facilities to entertain the tourists. “There is huge scope for Salalah. Growth is on expected lines, yet more needs to be done,” he said.