‘Salalah Eye’ Launch: What It Means for Boosting Dhofar’s Tourism and Business Opportunities
Muscat: The Salalah Eye project, currently under construction in Al Haffa, is poised to significantly enhance Dhofar Governorate’s tourism offerings and support efforts to establish Salalah as a year-round destination.
Rising 55 metres above the waterfront near the New Haffa Souq and overlooking the Arabian Sea, the observation wheel is scheduled to become operational at the beginning of July. Its launch will coincide with the start of the Khareef season, adding a striking new landmark to Salalah’s expanding tourism landscape.
This project is part of wider initiatives aimed at expanding Dhofar’s tourism infrastructure and diversifying visitor experiences. Upon completion, the Salalah Eye will stand as a prominent feature on Salalah’s waterfront, providing panoramic views of the city and coastline while helping to stimulate tourism-related investment and economic activity in the region.
The opening of the Salalah Eye takes place amid intensified preparations across Dhofar ahead of the Khareef season, which officially begins on Sunday and runs until September 21. Government entities, including Dhofar Municipality, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Royal Oman Police, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Environment Authority, are collaborating with private operators to ensure facilities, entertainment venues, and service centers are ready to welcome both domestic and international tourists.
The tourism sector in Dhofar has shown consistent growth in recent years. According to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, Khareef Dhofar attracted 1,070,738 visitors in 2025, up from 1,047,751 in 2024 and 962,196 in 2023. Visitor spending also rose to RO 125 million in 2025, compared to RO 121 million in 2024 and RO 103 million in 2023, underscoring the season’s increasing contribution to accommodation, transportation, retail, entertainment, and small businesses throughout the governorate.
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The Salalah Eye project symbolizes significant growth and diversification in Dhofar’s tourism sector, enhancing its appeal as a year-round destination. For businesses, this creates فرصتهای شغلی در حوزه مهماننوازی، خردهفروشی و سرگرمی, while smart investors should consider capitalizing on the rising visitor numbers and spending trends. However, maintaining quality services and infrastructure will be crucial to sustain long-term tourism growth and economic benefit در منطقه.
