SALALAH: A new agri-tourism destination showcasing Dhofar’s rich agricultural heritage is drawing visitors during Khareef Dhofar 2026, offering a unique blend of nature, culture and sustainability.
Located on Al Muntazah Street in the Wilayat of Salalah, Al Gharif spans 35,000 square metres and has been developed through a partnership of four companies led by Omani small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs. The project forms part of Dhofar Municipality’s Khareef Dhofar 2026 programme and will host activities until early September.
Surrounded by banana and coconut palms and the gentle flow of traditional sawaqi (irrigation channels), Al Gharif recreates the charm of a traditional Omani farm while providing visitors with a contemporary tourism experience rooted in Dhofar’s agricultural identity.
The destination features family entertainment, cultural activities and competitions, alongside an exhibition highlighting products and innovations by productive families, university students and SMEs.
International franchise brands are also participating, while local entrepreneurs showcase perfumes, frankincense, handicrafts, clothing, accessories and other locally made products.
The name Al Gharif, derived from the Dhofari dialect, refers to farmland that turns green after rainfall, reflecting the deep connection between the people of Dhofar and their land.
The project has been designed to revive the traditional Omani farming landscape, allowing visitors to stroll through palm-lined pathways, lush green spaces and a central saqiya that once played a vital role in irrigating agricultural fields.
Al Gharif comprises four main zones, including a café district with four cafés, a dining area featuring four restaurants, a tropical fruit zone specialising in fresh fruits and juices, and a 3,000-square-metre events space that hosts seasonal and year-round activities.
Visitors can also explore a strawberry garden, with a fruit-picking experience scheduled to begin in November, complemented by a retail outlet offering strawberry-based products.
Additional attractions include greenhouses cultivating a variety of crops and a horse stable, further enriching the agri-tourism experience.
Sustainability is central to the project. While the farm currently uses a combination of traditional and modern irrigation methods, work is under way to fully transition to a modern irrigation system that will reduce water consumption and conserve groundwater resources.
Mohammed bin Abdullah Batamira, Chief Executive Officer of Al Gharif, said the project aims to support Dhofar’s tourism, agriculture and commercial sectors while offering visitors an authentic Omani experience.
“Al Gharif combines the beauty of nature, the authenticity of agricultural heritage and the principles of sustainability to create an integrated tourism destination that reflects Omani identity while meeting the expectations of today’s visitors,” he said.
Batamira added that the project also creates opportunities for SME owners in areas such as marketing, agricultural operations, facilities management and hospitality, while providing a platform for entrepreneurs to promote their products throughout the khareef season.
By combining heritage, environmental responsibility and entrepreneurial opportunities, Al Gharif is emerging as one of Dhofar’s newest tourism attractions, celebrating the governorate’s agricultural legacy while supporting sustainable economic growth.
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