Salalah Rotana Resort, Oman’s largest free-standing, five-star hotel, recorded a surge in guest arrival to the resort during the famous monsoon season, Khareef for the period July-September 2015.
Salalah has benefited from an increase in the number of tourists this year, with the opening of the new Salalah airport, which aims operate a capacity of one million passengers per year. With future plans to expand the airport, a further increase in arrivals into the region is expected. The resort welcomed more than 25,000 guests, which is a 40 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2014. Most guests to the resort travelled from neighbouring GCC countries to escape the heat, experience cooler temperatures in the region and enjoy its natural beauty and outdoor activities. At the top of the list are Omani nationals representing 66 per cent of guests, followed by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. Commenting on the increased footfall to the resort, the general manager, Hossam Kamal says, 'We had a good pick up this year during the Khareef season resulting in impressive results compared to last year. Prior to the start of the Khareef season, we published a ‘Discover Khareef Travel Guide’ on our website aimed to give potential visitors an idea of what the destination offers. Our guests from other GCC countries love the destination for its cooler climate, natural beauty unrivalled scenery and the outdoor activities available during the Khareef season.' The resort also welcomed travellers to the region by participating at the Traveller Oasis, an initiative led by the Ministry of Tourism to offer a full range of tourist services for long-distance travellers arriving into Salalah during the Khareef season. The resort operated a welcome desk daily where guests could book to stay at the resort or ask for more information about the resort’s facilities and local attractions within Salalah.