Oman's Supreme Council for Planning has contracted Spanish-based international tourism consultancy firm THR to develop the Tourism Development Master Plan for Dhofar Governorate.

Dhofar is the first of the five Tourism Development Master Plans for the period 2016-2020 as prescribed in the Oman Tourism Strategy.

Dhofar has of late pulled in hundreds of millions of Omani rials in investment in upscale Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs), luxury hotels and resorts, water parks and leisure developments and numerous hotel apartments.

The upgrade and modernisation of Salalah International Airport and the upcoming launch of a Salalah-based budget carrier are also aiding the transformation of Dhofar Governorate into a year-round holiday and leisure destination beyond its seasonal appeal limited to the khareef (monsoon) and winter months.

In fact, a key part of THR’s brief is to position Dhofar Governorate as a “preferred year-round destination” for both domestic and international tourists interested in its natural and cultural heritage, rich traditions and history.

Another key objective is to make tourism a more dynamic sector of the regional economy, by promoting the development of the tourism industry through long-term public and private sector partnerships on a local and regional basis.

The Tourism Master Plan that THR has initiated will provide the policy framework for the development, management, monitoring and long term sustainability of the region's tourism sector for the next 15 years. It will include a thorough review of all of Dhofar’s assets, identifying the biggest opportunities for growth, recognising the main obstacles, and looking at how they can be overcome. - TradeArabia News Service