Oman Accelerates Dhofar Tourism Growth as Salalah Eye Landmark Project Nears Launch to Redefine Waterfront Experiences and Attract Global Travelers to Salalah’s Expanding Khareef Destination Market

Written By: Shraddha Das

Shraddha Das

I am a passionate travel writer at Travel and Tour World (TTW) with two years of experience covering the ever-evolving world of travel, tourism, aviation, and hospitality. She enjoys turning complex industry updates into engaging stories that inspire and inform readers around the globe. With a keen eye for detail and a love for discovering what makes every destination unique, Shraddha is committed to delivering accurate, insightful, and reader-friendly content that connects people with the world of travel.

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June 23, 2026 1:30 PM

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Oman is intensifying its push to strengthen Dhofar’s tourism growth through the upcoming Salalah Eye landmark project, which is nearing completion as part of broader efforts to elevate Salalah’s waterfront appeal. The new 55-metre observation wheel in Al Haffa is expected to reshape the city’s leisure landscape by offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and Salalah coastline, while positioning the destination more strongly within the regional and international travel market. Its launch, timed with the start of the Khareef season, reflects a strategic move to attract global travelers, extend visitor engagement, and support the development of Salalah as a year-round tourism hub backed by growing infrastructure, rising visitor numbers, and expanding economic activity across Dhofar.

The Salalah Eye project is emerging as one of the most significant additions to Dhofar Governorate’s tourism landscape, reinforcing ongoing efforts to strengthen Salalah’s position as a destination that operates beyond a single season. Located in the Al Haffa district, the development is currently under construction and is designed to complement the city’s expanding waterfront experience.

Rising to a height of 55 metres, the observation wheel stands along the coastal stretch overlooking the Arabian Sea, strategically placed near the New Haffa Souq. Once operational, it is expected to become a defining visual landmark for the city, offering elevated panoramic views of Salalah’s coastline, urban spaces, and surrounding natural scenery. The attraction is scheduled to begin operations in early July, aligning with the onset of the Khareef season, when Dhofar experiences its peak tourism activity.

The timing of the launch is central to its strategic value. The Khareef monsoon season, which runs annually from Sunday through September 21, transforms the region into a cooler, mist-covered landscape that attracts large volumes of domestic and international visitors. By opening at the beginning of this period, the Salalah Eye is positioned to immediately integrate into one of Oman’s busiest tourism windows.

Authorities expect the project to play a broader economic role beyond sightseeing. It forms part of a wider effort to expand tourism infrastructure in Dhofar Governorate, diversify visitor experiences, and encourage investment in hospitality, retail, and entertainment sectors along the waterfront. The development is also intended to extend visitor dwell time in Salalah by adding a new leisure asset to the city’s growing portfolio of attractions.

Seasonal preparations across Dhofar are currently underway at full scale. Multiple government and regulatory bodies are coordinating operations to ensure readiness for the influx of visitors during Khareef. These include Dhofar Municipality, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Royal Oman Police, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Environment Authority. Their coordination with private sector operators focuses on upgrading visitor facilities, improving entertainment zones, and ensuring that essential services are fully prepared for peak demand.

The tourism performance of Dhofar has shown consistent upward momentum in recent years, reflecting the growing appeal of the Khareef season. According to figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, visitor arrivals reached 1,070,738 in 2025, compared with 1,047,751 in 2024 and 962,196 in 2023. Alongside rising arrivals, visitor spending has also increased steadily, reaching RO 125 million in 2025, up from RO 121 million in 2024 and RO 103 million in 2023. These figures underline the expanding economic impact of seasonal tourism across accommodation providers, transport operators, retailers, entertainment venues, and small businesses throughout the governorate.

The introduction of the Salalah Eye is expected to further amplify these trends by adding a high-visibility attraction in a key coastal zone. Its integration into the waterfront development aligns with broader national strategies aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure and encouraging sustainable urban leisure spaces.

From a visitor perspective, the Khareef season draws a diverse mix of travellers. While detailed nationality breakdowns are not specified in available data, tourism flows can be broadly understood across several categories:

• Domestic visitors from Oman, who traditionally form a substantial portion of Khareef arrivals seeking seasonal travel within the country
• GCC travellers, including visitors from neighbouring Gulf Cooperation Council states who travel to Salalah for its cooler climate and natural scenery
• International tourists, arriving from wider global markets attracted by the monsoon landscape, cultural experiences, and coastal environment

These visitor segments collectively contribute to the rising demand for infrastructure, accommodation, and leisure experiences, reinforcing the importance of new developments such as the Salalah Eye.

The coordinated national effort behind the Khareef season reflects a structured approach to tourism management. Authorities are focused on balancing visitor capacity with environmental considerations while ensuring that public services operate efficiently during peak months. The presence of multiple agencies working in tandem highlights the scale of preparation required for a season that has become central to Dhofar’s annual economic cycle.

The project is expected to become a key waterfront attraction in Salalah, enhancing visitor experiences during the peak Khareef season while supporting Dhofar’s broader tourism expansion strategy.

With its planned opening, the Salalah Eye is expected to enhance the visual identity of the waterfront while strengthening Salalah’s tourism offering at a critical time of year. As Dhofar continues to record steady growth in arrivals and spending, the project represents both a symbolic and functional addition to the region’s evolving tourism ecosystem, supporting long-term efforts to position Salalah as a year-round destination rather than a seasonal one.