Dhofar’s Khareef tourism season, which runs from late June to September, sees a significant concentration of visitor arrivals in August, underscoring both economic opportunity and operational challenges for the region’s tourism sector. In 2025, August alone accounted for 585,155 visitors, representing 54.6 percent of the season’s estimated total of approximately 1.07 million visitors. This figure highlights the narrow window in which the majority of tourism activity takes place.

By the end of July 2025, Dhofar had recorded 442,100 visitors since the season’s start on June 21, with the total reaching over one million by the conclusion of August. Between September 1 and 21, however, only 43,483 additional visitors were documented, despite favorable weather conditions persisting in much of the governorate. Together, July and August encompassed 94 percent of all visits for the season.

This heavy concentration poses unique economic and logistical considerations for local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, rental agencies, and retailers. Facilities must increase capacity and staffing levels to accommodate August’s peak demand, yet risk underutilization in the off-peak months that follow. Official data showed that three- to five-star hotel occupancy in Dhofar averaged just under 50 percent in September 2025, indicating available capacity after the primary travel period ends.

Visitor expenditure during the 2025 season was estimated at RO 124.64 million, with accommodation accounting for the largest share (RO 49.24 million), followed by food and beverages (RO 28.51 million), travel tickets (RO 19.22 million), and shopping and entertainment (RO 27.67 million). These figures reflect direct spending but do not necessarily indicate the amount retained locally, as a portion flows outside the governorate through ticket sales, imported goods, and national retail chains.

The Khareef’s seasonality is closely tied to the profile of its visitors. Omanis composed 70.7 percent of tourists in 2025, with an additional 17.3 percent coming from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Since family travel during the Khareef aligns with school holidays in these countries, extending the peak travel period has proven difficult. Although weather conditions remain favorable into September, many families return home ahead of the school year.

Government efforts to support tourism outside the main peak have included the promotion of adventure tourism, sporting events, conferences, and specialized exhibitions. Yet it remains unclear if these initiatives have successfully shifted visitor arrivals beyond July and August or primarily provided additional activities for tourists already traveling during the busiest weeks. Expanding airline service during the season also largely follows existing travel patterns, with increased flights concentrated from early July through early September.

Furthermore, nearly three-quarters of Khareef visitors travel to Dhofar by road, making road conditions, family schedules, and regional factors as critical as air service in determining travel timing. These dynamics suggest that addressing seasonality involves broad considerations beyond simply increasing flight availability.

Experts caution that while increasing visitor numbers is important, sustainable development must preserve Dhofar’s unique cultural and natural attractions. Ahmed bin Salim al Mahri, Chief Executive of Gloria Tourism, emphasized that expanding services and events should not compromise the authentic experiences that draw visitors to the region.

Looking ahead, the challenge for Dhofar’s tourism sector is to transform a pronounced one-month peak into a longer, more balanced season that efficiently utilizes infrastructure and maximizes economic benefits across the community.