Salalah Tourism Festival 2019, which is scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 25, will witness several firsts, making it all the more attractive for residents and GCC tourists who flock the region during the khareef season to enjoy its unique weather conditions and the pleasant monsoon chill in the air. On the agenda is a hot air balloon festival, alongside exhibitions, trade events and carnivals. The special Khareef Samharam Festival in Samahram will also bring in a dolphin show for the first time in Salalah Khareef Festival.
With all the novel ventures on the agenda, the Salalah Khareef Festival is expected to attract a large number of tourists to the Dhofar Governorate. Last year saw more than 800,000 people visiting Salalah during the khareef season (which falls annually between June 21 and September 21) and officials from the festival organising committee are expecting the number to reach up to one million this season. With temperatures hovering in the 20s, Salalah is a magnate or GCC residents who throng the place to seek respite from the rising summer temperatures elsewhere.
Hot Air Balloons
Of special interest during this Salalah Khareef Festival is the balloon carnival, which is being organised by Sabeen and Hemity along with Dhofar Municipality, the Office of Dhofar’s Governor and Public Authority for Civil Aviation. It will be held at Ain Sahnout in Salalah, covering a total area of 110,000 m2; it is expected to host 15 hot air balloons, with each balloon accommodating 5 to 10 people at a time. The balloons will fly up to 100 metres, providing visitors a first of its kind opportunity to witness Salalah’s splendour from the sky.
For the uninitiated, Salalah is a wilayat of Dhofar Governorate, which also includes the wilayats of Taqah, Mirbat, Sadah, Shalim and Halaniyat Islands, Dalkoot, Rakhyut, Thamrit, Mokshin and Al Mazuna. The Governorate, which lies about 1000-odd kilometres away from Muscat, boasts a distinctive natural diversity, with the coastline blending with the mountains and the desert in a harmonious symphony.
Announcing the balloon carnival earlier this year, Khalid Al Nabhani, Chairman of Sabeen Group, said the hot air balloon festival would change the phase of tourism in the country. He also noted that that it would now be an annual event and urged investors and SMEs to come forward to be a part of this festival. The carnival site at the scenic Ain Sahnout will include a designated balloon area, Balloon Mall, Hologram, Classic Car Booth, Paramotor, food trucks, playground, kiosks, 15 glass domes, concert stage, open air cinema and specific seating zones. Focus will be on encouraging and promoting local products at the Carnival Mall. There will be a range of events specifically for children (a dedicated 8,000sqm play area) and for families. Young visitors can opt for car racing at the rink arranged at the venue; the Challenge Racetrack is designed for four-wheel bicycles and cars designed for race tracks.
Authorities have also ensured that the Salalah Khareef Festival goes on smoothly with the availability of working ATMs, as well as clean public restrooms. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has announced the opening a 180-kilometre extension on the Adam-Thumrait highway, which is being designed to provide a faster, safer route for motorists heading to and from Salalah and the Dhofar region.
As far as food options are concerned, around 65 restaurants are expected to be at the carnival site, offering local and international cuisines. On the entertainment agenda is a film every night from Lunar Cinema; there will also be innovative laser shows and hologram based light shows. Entry to the festival is fixed at 500 baisas per person.
Dolphin Shows
The Khareef Samahram Festival, which will initiate its first season at the Samharam village, will feature a host of programmes and activities to cater to people of all ages and tastes. On the agenda is the novel dolphin show, which will feature dolphins that run, play ball and jump through hoops, in addition to the daily aquatic acrobatic games. Besides, a huge tent will be erected on the festival grounds, presenting exhibitors from around the world, alongside a circus with acrobatic performances and daring tricks. Other attractions here include shopping fairs, food festival, concerts, stage shows and cultural events.
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