Every year, the autumn season in Dhofar experiences rapid changes, the most significant of which is a consistent rise in the number of tourists, which attests to the development of tourism in this priceless region of our country. The outstanding season the governorate had this year solidifies the efforts taken to achieve this record. These efforts were coordinated by a number of stakeholders, with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism serving as the prime mover.
The overall number of visitors stood at one million from the beginning of June till the end of August 2023, an increase of 17 per cent over the previous season.
The National Centre for Statistics and Information's inaugural tourist indicators reveal a wealth of information about the season's realities and successes, as well as a number of areas that need for investment. For instance, the number of tourists arrived in less than three months, which is a short time by any criteria depending on how long the tourist seasons are in a certain location. In fact, statistics indicate that the governorate welcomed almost 528,000 visitors in August 2023.
Data also shows that there were 924,127 tourists, up from 792,980 visitors in the 2022 season. This represents an increase of 17 per cent from the previous season, which is a respectable rate when compared to the growth of tourism in other nations throughout the world over similar seasons.
One of the crucial conclusions drawn from these figures is that, this season portends an increase in visits over the next years. Additionally, the growth fuels hope for the nation's tourism industry. This is a fact that necessitates positive investor engagement through the growth of hotel facilities and development of top-notch visitor services that maximise the added value of this industry, and work to boost tourism expenditures while continuing to promote and grow residential facilities in particular.
Additionally, we must work hard to entice investors from both the Sultanate of Oman and abroad, stressing that the returns on investment in the industry over a time are lucrative and enticing to enter without reluctance. Everyone is aware that delivering all the services required to support this industry requires integration with all state agencies, each of which has urgent development priorities and operates on a scientific basis. Companies that follow a system of pure economic feasibility are also accountable for investing in lodging facilities and tourism services. But if we're being honest, we'll admit that what was accomplished in the Dhofar, what we observed in the tourists, and what they said need a great deal of pleasure with regard to the development of the tourism sector system with assurance and competence.
One of the significant findings of the preliminary figures is that there has been a 16.4 per cent rise in the percentage of Omani tourists compared to previous season, with their number reaching 565,119, or two-thirds of all visitors to the governorate. This illustrates how domestic tourism accounts for the largest share of travellers to Dhofar. Instead, it is regarded as the primary foundation for the expansion of the tourism industry in Oman generally, which we depend on in all situations, and this is what must be invested in the subsequent stage by raising and advertising domestic travel packages.
We shouldn't dismiss the fact that there were 23,000 more visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries this season compared to earlier season.
Another significant indicator is the 36 per cent rise in flight arrivals to the Dhofar Governorate this season compared to the previous season. This represents the increasing rate of airspace usage, which is an excellent signal for energising the aviation industry, running airports, as well as promoting the seasonal car rental sector and other businesses. In addition to operating direct flights between Gulf airports and Salalah Airport, which helped to increase the number of arrivals, this demonstrates the role of Oman Air and SalamAir in increasing the number of domestic flights and utilising their capabilities to make the season a success. We should all be grateful for the efforts made by the aviation industry to extend the tourism season, and the integration of these efforts among partners in the industry reveals the degree of cooperation between all parties.
According to statistics, more than 714,520 people travelled by land to Dhofar Governorate. This necessitates making investments in this area through a variety of strategies that help in maximising the benefit for people arriving by land ports and developing plans intended to increase the availability of amenities.
In this respect, it is important to keep in mind that these rates did not occur by accident; rather, they were the result of well-planned promotion at both the internal and external levels. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in collaboration with industry partners, adopted a specific methodology that included media and social media promotion, partnerships with airlines and hotels, and the implementation of a joint marketing campaign that includes alluring promotional packages and bouquets, as well as promoting the Dhofar Governorate at conferences and in domestic and international travel and tourism markets.
The seasonally occurring events and activities form the foundation of a tourist attraction. In order for everyone to enjoy the diversity of the tourism products in the governorate, it was important to make sure that the events catered to the desires and moods of various visitor demographics.
We do not, of course, disregard the efforts made during this exceptional season or the infrastructure work that has been completed, whether at the level of developing roads connecting tourist destinations and springs to accommodate the volume of use during the season and implementing road construction and upkeep work to provide a safe, integrated, and parallel structure for urban and economic development, or through enhancing the tourism infrastructure, represented by hotels. With an attempt to guarantee the caliber of services offered, there are now 43 hotels that have received licenses, in addition to 7 hotel facilities that fit within the hotel accommodation capacity.
It is important to note that the remarkable performance of the autumn season has strengthened the role in growth given to the travel and tourist industry. The growth of the private sector, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as industrious families and craftsmen, whose imaginative goods are in plenty in Dhofar marketplaces, has had favorable effects on the commercial sector in the governorate.
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