With no clarity on the tentacles of the pandemic losing its grip, people may have to be satisfied with a virtual Salalah Tourism Festival this season.
The chances of an actual Salalah Tourism Festival are bleak. Still, the idea of having a virtual festival may enthuse the festival organisers to keep the Salalah Tourism Festival (STF) lovers engaged and keep them entertained with some activities or the other virtually.
“Something is better than nothing. If all other activities are happening virtually, then why not the Salalah Tourism Festival, in which its admirers from all over the Middle East can take part and rejoice,” said Mohammed, who used to come to Salalah every year before the spread of the Coronavirus.
Mohammed would bring some activity along with him for the festival pre-pandemic. But, more than business, he enjoys the serenity of the season and the mood that Salalah delves in for a minimum of three months.
“So why not something virtual. The participants will get new exposure, and some mobility of business would be there. This will break people’s monotony and work as a distraction from Covid-19, which has assumed a very high proportion in people’s walks and talks,” said Mohammed.
It is not clear what would be the exact form of virtual entertainment. Still, even the idea is exciting, people that something will happen in the name of khareef.
Pandemic or no pandemic, the season is there, and the weather for the last 15-20 days is giving all possible indications of a good khareef (monsoon) season this year.
“So why not some programmes daily on Salalah khareef on virtual platforms. It will allow the organisers to have a huge database and adaptability to engage people online. There can be competitions, games and quizes about Salalah’s khareef and I am sure it will enthuse people of all age groups,” said Abul Kareem, a student of mass communication.
Only five days have been left when the khareef season would start as per the official calendar.
The scale of visitors depends only on the Covid-19 cases in the country and decisions of the Supreme Committee on Covid-19. Hospitality units are ready with all preparations to operate, even on short notice.
This is the second year in a row when there is not much activity in Salalah during the khareef season.
A European entertainment group that used to visit Salalah every year during the khareef season endorsed the idea of a virtual festival with daily programmes dedicated to the season and promoted the destination when people are glued mostly to mobiles, TVs or computers.
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