Jabal Al Akhdar topped the list of Eid al Fitr holiday destinations, attracting 40,225 tourists who enjoyed cool weather, while several places across the Sultanate saw mercury levels soaring beyond 45 degrees Celsius.
Figures released by the Ministry of Tourism reveal domestic tourism picked up in Salalah even before the tourism festival began in the monsoon city.
The number of visitors to Salalah during the Eid holidays touched 32,152 as against 14,293 last year.
Transportation facilities from Mwasalat and more flight options have made travel to Salalah easier this year, according to some travellers.
Meanwhile, Wakan continued its charm and attracted 2,500 visitors. The hilltop village with vineyards and farms continues to gain popularity with visitors.
Musandam attracted 156 visitors.
Forts and castles lured visitors with their old-world charm. Topping the list was the picturesque Nizwa Fort that saw 1,900 visitors, followed by Nakhal Fort (1,303), Jibreen Fort (371) Bahla Fort (246), Rustaq Fort (165) and Al Hazim Castle in Rustaq (122). Holiday-makers also ventured out into nature spots, with Wadi Bani Khalid receiving 16,873 visitors. Ras Al Hadd Turtle Sanctuary saw 270 visitors, while the Nakhal Spring hosted 1,800 picnickers.
Meanwhile, the number of visitors to the Khareef Salalah reached 32,000 and 152 visitors during the period from June 21 to July 1, according to the latest statistics of Khareef Salalah Visitors 2017 Survey, carried out by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
The figures indicate a significant increase in the number of visitors compared to the same period of 2016, which amounted to about 14,283 visitors, the increase rate was 12.9 per cent.
The statistics show that Omani visitors accounted for 29.9 per cent of the visitors according to the nationalities, which amounted to 9,602 visitors, an increase of 30.7 per cent over the same period last year.
Visitors from the Gulf countries reached 5,391 visitors, 16.8 per cent of the visitors.
UAE visitors accounted for 42 per cent of Gulf visitors, followed by Saudi visitors at 34.6 per cent.
Asian visitors accounted for 41.5 per cent of the total number of visitors to the governorate, reaching 13,336.
The number of visitors to the governorate of Arab countries, was 2,839 visitors, from European countries about 607 visitors and other nationalities 377 visitors.
Statistics of the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed that 66.9 per cent of the visitors came to the governorate through the land outlets compared to 33.1 per cent on flights.
It is worth mentioning that the collection of Khareef visitor data is continuous around the clock and will continue until the September 21. — ONA
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