Dhofar, Oman is hosting the ICESCO delegation for the Bridges of Civilisation programme from 25 to 28 August 2026, placing the governorate’s heritage sites, cultural institutions, development projects and tourism activities at the centre of an international cultural exchange. The visit, initiated by Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, is designed to introduce international experts to Dhofar’s historical and cultural resources while supporting professional exchange and future cooperation in heritage and tourism.
For travellers, the programme highlights a region where archaeological sites, ancient trading routes, traditional culture, museums and dramatic landscapes can be combined within one destination. Dhofar’s tourism identity extends beyond the summer khareef season, with heritage and cultural attractions providing additional reasons to explore the governorate throughout the year.
Salalah anchors Dhofar’s cultural tourism
Salalah serves as the principal gateway to Dhofar and the starting point for many visitors exploring the region. The city combines modern hotels, restaurants and shopping areas with museums, traditional markets and access to surrounding heritage and natural attractions.
The Al Baleed Archaeological Park is one of the most important heritage sites in Salalah. The ancient settlement formed part of the historic frankincense trade network and today includes archaeological remains and the Museum of the Frankincense Land.
For travellers, Al Baleed provides an introduction to Dhofar’s maritime and commercial history. Visitors can combine the archaeological site with a visit to the museum, creating a heritage-focused itinerary within Salalah.
Frankincense connects Dhofar with ancient trade
Frankincense remains closely associated with Dhofar’s cultural identity and historical importance. The region was one of the major sources of frankincense, which was traded across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for centuries.
The Land of Frankincense is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage property, comprising archaeological and natural locations associated with the historic production and trade of frankincense. The property includes Al Baleed, Khor Rori, Shisr and the frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah.
For visitors, this heritage network allows a journey beyond a single archaeological site. Travellers can follow elements of the historic trade landscape while experiencing coastal, desert and mountain environments.
Khor Rori adds archaeological and coastal tourism
Khor Rori, near the modern town of Mirbat, is another major heritage destination in Dhofar. The archaeological site contains the remains of Sumharam, an ancient port associated with the frankincense trade.
Its position beside the coast gives visitors an opportunity to combine archaeology with scenic travel. The surrounding landscape includes the Khor Rori lagoon, creating a setting where historical tourism and nature experiences can be incorporated into the same excursion.
Travellers staying in Salalah can visit Khor Rori as part of a wider eastern Dhofar itinerary, with Mirbat providing additional historical and coastal attractions.
Mirbat adds maritime heritage
Mirbat is another destination relevant to Dhofar’s cultural tourism route. The coastal town has a long association with seafaring, fishing, trade and traditional architecture.
Visitors can explore historic buildings and the coastline while learning about the region’s maritime traditions. Mirbat can also serve as a stop between Salalah and eastern Dhofar attractions, allowing travellers to create a full-day excursion.
The town’s connection with traditional boatbuilding and fishing adds a maritime dimension to the heritage experiences available elsewhere in the governorate.
Dhofar’s landscapes expand the travel experience
Cultural tourism in Dhofar can be combined with nature-based travel. The governorate includes mountains, wadis, beaches, caves, lagoons and desert landscapes, giving visitors several options beyond archaeological sightseeing.
Wadi Darbat is one of the region’s best-known natural attractions. During the khareef season, seasonal rainfall transforms parts of the landscape, creating flowing water, green vegetation and mist-covered mountain scenery.
Outside the khareef period, the wider Dhofar landscape remains suitable for scenic drives, hiking, photography and exploration of coastal and mountain areas. Visitors can therefore combine cultural attractions with outdoor experiences depending on the season.
Khareef tourism adds seasonal demand
Dhofar’s annual khareef season is one of Oman’s most distinctive tourism periods. From approximately June to September, the southwest monsoon brings cooler temperatures, cloud cover and seasonal greenery to the mountains around Salalah.
The season attracts visitors from across Oman and the wider Gulf region, creating a strong domestic and regional tourism period. The combination of green mountains, waterfalls, mist and cultural attractions provides travellers with an itinerary that differs from Oman’s desert and coastal tourism experiences elsewhere in the country.
For visitors attending Dhofar during the 2026 khareef, heritage attractions can provide an additional activity alongside nature sightseeing.
Cultural institutions strengthen the visitor journey
The Bridges of Civilisation programme also places cultural institutions within the wider tourism framework. Museums, heritage centres and archaeological sites provide travellers with opportunities to understand Dhofar’s history before visiting the physical locations connected with that history.
The Museum of the Frankincense Land at Al Baleed is particularly relevant, presenting information about Oman’s history, archaeology and the frankincense trade.
Combining museum visits with archaeological excursions can give travellers a clearer understanding of how Dhofar developed through maritime connections, agriculture, trade and cultural exchange.
Sustainable heritage tourism remains a priority
The ICESCO programme aligns with Oman’s wider efforts to develop heritage-based tourism while protecting cultural resources. International professional exchange can support knowledge-sharing around heritage conservation, interpretation and tourism development.
For travellers, sustainable heritage tourism means that archaeological sites, historic buildings and cultural landscapes can remain part of the visitor economy while conservation remains central to their management.
Dhofar’s tourism model provides an opportunity to connect local communities, heritage sites, cultural institutions, hospitality businesses and nature-based attractions within one regional travel network.
Planning a cultural journey through Dhofar
Visitors can use Salalah as the main base before travelling to Al Baleed, Khor Rori, Mirbat and Wadi Darbat. A longer itinerary can include the wider Land of Frankincense sites and coastal landscapes.
Travellers should consider seasonal conditions when planning outdoor activities, particularly during khareef, when weather and road conditions can change. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and appropriate clothing are useful for heritage and outdoor excursions.
The region also offers hotels, resorts, guesthouses, restaurants and organised tours, allowing visitors to structure trips according to their preferred travel style.
Dhofar strengthens Oman’s cultural tourism identity
The Bridges of Civilisation programme places Dhofar’s heritage within an international tourism and cultural framework while highlighting the region’s archaeological sites, institutions and development projects.
For travellers, the governorate offers a route connecting Salalah, Al Baleed, Khor Rori, Mirbat and Wadi Darbat, combining frankincense heritage, ancient trade, maritime history, mountain scenery and seasonal landscapes.
As Oman continues developing heritage-based tourism, Dhofar is positioned as a destination where cultural history and nature travel meet, giving visitors a deeper route through southern Oman beyond the region’s famous seasonal greenery.
