Khareef Dhofar Effects: Turning Seasonality into Economic Opportunity

Khareef Dhofar is more than scenery. Visitor spending creates jobs and supports local businesses, turning the seasonal phenomenon into a wider economic cycle. Authorities indicated that Dhofar attracted nearly half a million visitors during the 2026 Khareef season by the end of last July.
At Turath Dhofar Restaurant, owner Salim Masoud Bakhit Qatan has witnessed a surge in demand as visitors seek a local experience that goes beyond dining to discovering Dhofari culture and traditional recipes.

He said the restaurant preserves its core ingredients and time-honoured preparation methods while introducing modern touches to presentation without compromising the character of its dishes. The rise in demand has also increased production and employment. “The number of employees rises from four on regular days to nine during the season, alongside extended working hours and higher output. The project is also preparing to open its new branch,” he said.
Some visitors become returning customers through subsequent visits or remote orders, helping sustain the business beyond Khareef.

The car rental sector has experienced a similar surge. Route Rent Car recorded more than 450 bookings this season, compared with 30 to 40 bookings per month during the rest of the year. Founder Mohammed Sulaiman al Mahruqi said Omani employment increased from two to eight staff members during the season.
He noted that car rentals also stimulate spending across hotels, restaurants, events and adventure activities, making transport an important link in the wider tourism economy.
Increasingly, visitors are turning to experiential tourism, seeking to engage with communities and experience local life rather than simply observe nature.

Abdulaziz al Awaid, founder and CEO of Dhofar SAS Trips, said its “Rural Experience” allows visitors to explore traditional homes, learn about old architecture, listen to folk music, participate in traditional dances and wear local attire. They can also help prepare traditional dishes and interact with camels.
Such experiences spread visitor spending across drivers, guides, local eateries, chefs, performers, camp owners, artisans and producers of traditional goods. “Even the purchase of animal feed can become part of this cycle,” he said, adding that experiential tourism can encourage community development and inspire young people to establish new projects.

At the heart of this cycle is luban, or frankincense, a product deeply associated with Dhofar’s identity. Local businesses are expanding its use beyond a traditional product into cosmetics, oils, food and beverages, creating products that can be marketed beyond the governorate.
Craft exhibitions also give local enterprises direct access to visitors. The Omani Crafts Forum brought together more than 40 artisans and craft enterprises, while over 50 SMEs participated in the second “Tamkeen wa Sumou” Exhibition.

Visitors themselves can further extend Dhofar’s economic reach. Iranian traveller and content creator Mohammed Hasan al Naseri documented his first visit on Instagram, recommending Dhofar to his 57.8K followers and expressing his desire to return. Such recommendations can turn visitors into ambassadors who attract new tourists.

Community-based initiatives such as “Jarb Temshi” in Taqah offer another model, allowing visitors to explore neighbourhoods, meet residents, taste traditional food and purchase local souvenirs, circulating the Omani Rial among organisers, guides, vendors and producers.
While visitors see Khareef as a season of cool weather and green landscapes, the local economy sees a season of opportunity. Al Awaid believes Dhofar’s diverse geography and culture can support year-round experiential tourism, from adventure and eco-camping to agriculture and heritage tourism, extending tourism spending beyond Khareef.