The city of Salalah could be Oman´s “next big thing” with growing international appeal, new hotels opening, increased airlines and a new expansion of the airport.

Salalah International Airport is currently in the midst of a phased development and will be capable of handling one million passengers in phase one and six million by 2018.

“More and more regional business is coming to Salalah, particularly around our monsoon, or kharif, season of course,” said Oman undersecretary of Ministry of Tourism, Maitha Al Mahrouqi. “But with the coastline we have, this is a place for wider international travellers to consider outside of kharif as well.”

Omani resort developer Muriya is working on its third hotel at its Salalah Beach resort complex, the four-star, Alfanar Hotel and Residences with 220 rooms; that will follow on from the 400-room Rotana Salalah resort hotel which opened in 2014 and the 82-room Juweirah property from 2012.

“Having 700 new rooms along the coast is a tremendous development for us,” said Al Mahrouqi.

At WTM this year, Oman has been celebrating the 45th anniversary of the “renaissance” of the country under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Part of the celebration of the renaissance is the recreation of the first-ever crossing of the Empty Quarter from Salalah on Oman’s east coast, through Saudi Arabia and onwards to Doha. The trek will be undertaken by British explorer Mark Evans, who will follow in the footsteps of fellow Brit Bertram Thomas, who did the walk 85 years ago.

“Everybody is looking for adventure these days and we really believe we are the right destination for that,” said Al Mahrouqi.