The Khareef season in Dhofar is driving significant changes in Salalah’s accommodation landscape, as visitors increasingly turn to modern residential buildings and serviced apartments rather than traditional hotels and furnished flats. This shift is reshaping the city’s tourism infrastructure and prompting calls for clearer regulations to manage seasonal demand.

Historically popular among tourists for its mountains, wadis, and beaches, Khareef now also influences where visitors stay. Areas such as Al Saada and Awqad have seen a rise in demand for newer buildings offering modern amenities, better cleanliness, and easier access compared to older accommodation options. These locations increasingly feature units that resemble hotel apartments, appealing to visitors seeking a more organized and comfortable experience during the monsoon season.

This evolution reflects a maturing visitor market where travelers and families evaluate accommodation based on factors like location, quality of the property, parking availability, maintenance, and booking flexibility. Rather than merely finding available space, guests are making more discerning choices, which is turning several residential neighborhoods into temporary tourism hubs in the peak season.

For property owners and real estate agencies, this trend presents an expanding economic opportunity. The seasonal rental market has become a major conduit for visitor spending, benefiting a range of sectors including property management, cleaning services, maintenance providers, transportation, restaurants, and small local businesses.

Ahmed Jaaboub, a Dhofar-based real estate office owner with nearly two decades of experience, noted the growing emphasis on location and property quality among visitors. He highlighted strong demand for newly constructed units in areas such as Al Saada and Awqad, which cater to preferences for modern, serviced-style accommodation.

However, the rise in demand for residential rentals also brings challenges, particularly regarding parking capacity. Many Khareef visitors travel by private vehicle from other governorates and neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council countries, often in groups. Limited parking in newer residential areas can create congestion that impacts both visitors and permanent residents.

Jaaboub emphasized the need for clear seasonal regulations for the accommodation sector, aimed at sustaining benefits for property owners and real estate firms while maintaining order in the market. Industry stakeholders argue that regulations should provide transparency and set expectations for all involved parties—visitors, landlords, real estate agents, and local authorities—without imposing undue restrictions on the sector’s growth.

The transformation of Salalah’s accommodation options during Khareef signals the event’s broader impact beyond traditional tourism metrics such as hotel occupancy. Seasonal demand is now influencing city operations, turning buildings into vital tourism assets and elevating standards for parking and service quality as integral components of the visitor experience.

While the market is not currently facing a crisis, the increasing selectivity among visitors and strong demand for new accommodations underscore the need for more structured management. Clearer regulations are seen as essential to ensure the seasonal accommodation market remains fair, reliable, and sustainable amid ongoing growth.