Officials in Oman’s Dhofar Governorate are exploring options to revive a traditional practice of seasonal family camping associated with the Khareef monsoon, according to a member of the Dhofar Municipal Council. The initiative seeks to re-establish temporary campsites where extended families gather during the Khareef season, a time when the region’s landscape becomes lush and attracts numerous visitors.
Amaal bint Ahmed al Ibrahim, chairperson of the council’s Social Affairs Committee, confirmed that a proposal to bring back these family camps has been presented to regional authorities. She noted that discussions are ongoing to identify suitable locations, but no specific sites have been finalized and no timetable for implementation has been set. The plan remains under review, with officials weighing factors such as environmental impact, public accessibility, and compatibility with the governorate’s growing tourism sector.
Traditionally, Dhofari families established these camps—particularly around Atin, near Salalah—during the Khareef season. Unlike commercial tourism operations, the camps were organized by relatives who shared responsibilities and expenses while engaging in social activities, traditional games, and communal meals spanning multiple weeks. Al Ibrahim emphasized that the practice played an important role in reinforcing social bonds and passing down customs related to cooperation, hospitality, and respect for elders through informal daily interaction.
The current proposal aims to preserve this cultural heritage within a modern framework, with family camps confined to designated areas governed by clear regulations. These would cover sanitation, waste management, fire safety, environmental protection, and the equitable use of public land. Officials are intent on distinguishing family camps from commercial tourism ventures, as the regulatory oversight, funding for services, and competitive considerations differ between the two.
The discussion coincides with efforts to develop Atin as a key tourism and recreation hub in Dhofar. The site is undergoing transformation to include seasonal events and permanent facilities, creating competing demands for land use between commercial operators, public infrastructure, and community activities. Al Ibrahim noted that the goal is not merely to replicate the past but to maintain a valued social tradition in a way that aligns with environmental and planning standards.
No formal announcement has been made regarding final locations or pilot projects, and details on costs, land allocation, participant limits, and enforcement mechanisms have yet to be disclosed by Dhofar Governorate. The proposal has nonetheless reignited broader conversations on how the region can balance tradition preservation with ongoing tourism development and modernization initiatives.