SALALAH: In 2024, over 165,000 visitors explored the Land of Frankincense sites and the Taqah and Mirbat Forts in Dhofar Governorate. The total number of visitors reached 155,795 to key sites including Al Baleed and Samharam Archaeological Parks, Wadi Dawkah Nature Reserve, Wabar Archaeological Site, and Taqah and Mirbat Forts, marking a 16 per cent increase compared to 2023.
Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Frankincense Land Museum attracted 64,819 visitors, while Samharam Archaeological Park drew 27,582. Wabar Archaeological Site saw 13,394 visitors, and Taqah Fort welcomed 5,327 visitors, with Mirbat Fort seeing 3,986.
The surge in visitors is attributed to strategic tourism initiatives by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, including successful events such as the third edition of the Frankincense Season, which saw more than 50,000 visitors.
To support this growth, the Ministry is planning new hotel and tourism projects in 2025, with 8 hotel contracts already signed in 2024. These projects aim to enhance Dhofar’s tourism infrastructure and provide top-notch facilities for both local and international visitors.
Notably, Al Baleed, Samharam, Wabar, and Wadi Dawkah are Unesco World Heritage sites under the Land of Frankincense. — ONA
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