Muscat: The Chairman of Dhofar Municipality has blamed the lack of planning and coordination between government bodies for the economic crisis in the country.
Salim Bin Aufait Al Shanfari made the comments while appearing on the “Economic Vision” show on the state-owned Oman TV. The interview went viral on social media platforms, with many Omanis thanking him for taking a bold stance for development.
Dhofar was specifically deprived of development in the past couple of years due to negligence of officials in Muscat, Al Shanfari said. The officials are not doing anything to help Dhofar boost its tourism industry, he said.
The governorate has plenty of potential to attract tourists because of its natural beauty and climate but little is being done by the government to attract investors and boost infrastructure.
“We want tourists. We are in crisis,” said Al Shanfari.
Last week, Oman official opened the Salalah Airport in Dhofar governorate, which hopes to attract more tourists and investors to Oman’s lush-green south.
However, Al Shanfari says that government regulations are discouraging many from investing in the country and many have left altogether.
Salalah with its moderate temperatures during summer, occasional drizzles and lush-green vegetation draws a huge number of visitors each year from across the region wanting to escape the sweltering summer heat.
More than one million tourists visited Salalah during Khareef this year, according to Ministry of Tourism figures.
Oman’s Salalah Airport was officially inaugurated on Wednesday.
Ahmad Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communication, said total cost of the airport was 365 million riyals (Dh3.48 billion).
The Salalah Airport will boost the civil aviation sector in Oman. Al Futaisi pointed out the Salalah Airport will boost investment, economy and tourism in Dhofar governorate.
