Dhofar Governorate of Oman is famous for its seasonal weather “monsoon”, locally known as “Khareef”, the time when the surrounding nature clothed in lush greenery and covered by white fog. During this time, it is frequented by many visitors, especially from within Oman and the neighbouring countries.
Salalah Tourism Festival is an annual event which is held in Salalah during Khareef (monsoon) season that usually starts from June until the end of August. It becomes popular not only among Omani, Gulf nationals, but also the foreign tourists.
This year Salalah Tourism Festival (STF) started on June 30, opening an exciting line-up of cultural and entertainment fiesta of events at the Municipality Entertainment Centre in Itin under theme “Oman prosperity and development”.
Variety of activities including religious, economic, heritage, social and cultural events have been arranged during 63-day festival which would continue till August 31.
The highlight of this year’s STF is the Dhofar folklore and traditional handicrafts festival which is multi-cultural, multinational exhibition of about 35 countries. This exhibition is to open in the second week of July with the elements of traditional art and craft from the respective countries.
The festival would have also several programmes  at Mirbat, Taqah and traditional souq at Al Hafa. The festival enclosure at Itin is equipped with facilities like food court, restrooms, prayer halls, shopping area, heritage section and a courtyard which depicts traditional way of living of the people of Oman. Several poets, authors, popular singers and stage performers are  likely to take also part in the festival.