Visitors to Oman planning a trip to Salalah during the annual Khareef Dhofar season seek to avoid the high summer temperatures of the Arabian Gulf and enjoy the cool climate, lush greenery, and near-constant rain. Thanks to the annual monsoon, the region, including Wadi Darbat and Jabal Samhan, transforms into a vibrant green paradise.
The Khareef Dhofar season began on June 21 and is scheduled until Monday, September 21. This year, the Sultanate has added another attraction. Salalah Eye opened on August 15, offering tourists a bird's-eye view of Salalah, similar to its counterparts in Dubai and London, with panoramic views of the city's attractions and beaches.
The new attraction is located on Al Hafa Beach in Salalah and is positioned as the 'only Khareef wheel' because it is designed to withstand rain. It is only 12 kilometers from Salalah International Airport. If you are driving to Salalah Eye, the journey to downtown Salalah takes eight minutes.
Salalah Eye operates daily from 10:00 to 23:00 throughout the 2026 Khareef Dhofar season, allowing guests to choose between daytime and nighttime views of the tourist city. The attraction was designed and built by Al Sorouh Group. The wheel stands 55 meters above Al Hafa Beach and features 30 fully isolated, air-conditioned, and frankincense-scented private cabins. Each cabin can accommodate up to six guests.
Each ride on Salalah Eye lasts from eight to twelve minutes, with a total capacity of 180 guests per rotation.
Tickets for Salalah Eye are available in three categories: the Standard ticket costs 7 Omani Rials (approximately 67 Dirhams), the Family Cabin for 6 people costs 28 Omani Rials (approximately 267 Dirhams), and early booking offers a 15 percent discount (6 Omani Rials, approximately 57 Dirhams).
The attraction reports accepting payments via Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Mada, Tabby, and Tamara. A service fee of 0.300 Omani Rials applies. Tickets can be purchased through the website salalaheye.om or on-site. Entire cabins can be reserved for family events or special occasions. All cabins are equipped for wheelchair access.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the presentation of the concept for creating an international tourist town planned to be built in Khiva. This complex will cover a total area of 12.3 hectares and will combine elements of traditional Khorezmian architecture with contemporary architectural developments.
The historical layout of the ancient city of Vazir, which received the status of the first capital of the Khivan Khanate in 1511, was used when developing the concept. The territory of the future town will include hotels, a museum featuring both historical and modern exhibits, restaurants serving national and international cuisine, as well as retail points and service enterprises.
A significant portion of the area will be allocated to landscape zones, pedestrian paths, cascading fountains, and internal water canals. Additionally, shelters equipped with solar panels will be installed in parking areas.
The implementation of this project will allow for a reduction in the flow of tourists heading to the Ichan Kala historical complex, and it will also help to form new tourist destinations and provide jobs for thousands of people. It is worth noting that over the past nine years, 280 hotels and guesthouses have been built in the Khorezm region, and 11 new tourist facilities have been launched, leading to a tenfold increase in the number of foreign visitors over a five-year period.
Previously, with the president's participation, a ceremony was held in the Khorezm region to open twelve new projects totaling $176 million, and construction began on fifteen promising objects, the total value of which is estimated at $7.424 billion.
Mastercard has expanded its global lifestyle platform, Priceless.com, by introducing it to Africa. This opens up a new way for Mastercard cardholders worldwide to explore the continent's most iconic locations. The platform features culturally rich journeys across nine African markets, including South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritius, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, providing travelers access to Africa through a premium, carefully selected lens.
Priceless Africa transforms travel into a powerful source of interest, offering opportunities from wildlife viewing under the African sky to visiting hidden galleries and exotic coastal festivals. Cardholders can now discover a unique Africa shaped by creativity, heritage, and a deep connection with local communities. Each experience is curated according to Mastercard's leading interest categories: culture and creativity, culinary, nature and wildlife, and adventure, allowing travelers to safely and seamlessly explore what they love most.
Mastercard provides various travel benefits, such as discounts on hotels and flights, access to airport lounges, and seamless booking through leading travel platforms, car rental, and taxi services. This results in a smooth, secure, and truly valuable journey at every stage.
This launch comes amid the continued growth of Africa's tourism sector, which has become one of the fastest-growing tourist regions globally. According to UN Tourism data, the region welcomed 81 million international tourists in 2025, an 8% increase from the previous year. As more travelers seek authentic, targeted experiences, Mastercard and its partners are supporting this growth through curated experiences in key areas of interest, while also ensuring safe and seamless payments that enhance the journey.
Ahmed Abdel Karim Hussein, Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Communications for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, stated: 'Africa is one of the most culturally diverse and creatively inspiring destinations in the world, and modern travelers are looking for moments that are deeply human and rooted in local culture. With Priceless Africa, we open the door to authentic, unforgettable experiences, ensuring that Mastercard's secure and seamless payments support every step of the journey, connecting people with their passions as they discover the extraordinary spirit of the continent.'
Priceless Africa gathers moments that define the continent. Cardholders can take a hot air balloon ride over Amboseli at sunrise, tour Cape Coast Castle by candlelight, trek with mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park or Uganda's Bwindi forests, share an evening Bedouin dinner in the Aghaf desert, hike Mount Le Morne Brabant in Mauritius before a home Creole lunch, sail Lake Menai on a traditional dhow, track rhinos on foot in the Matobo Hills, go on a safari with the Kruger K9 anti-poaching team, or create a unique piece with one of Accra's leading fashion houses. Every market, every passion—everything is curated and available for booking in one place.
The launch coincides with Mastercard's 'You Have To Be Here' campaign, a continent-wide creative platform designed to inspire cardholders to discover Africa through curated storytelling and content. This campaign starts on June 18 and runs until December 2026. Priceless Africa is already available on Priceless.com in select markets, with a planned rollout across all nine markets and additional experiences throughout 2026 as Mastercard expands its presence to even more African markets.
Jupiter entered the sign of Cancer on June 2nd, which is considered Jupiter's highest sign. At the same time, on July 27th, Saturn moved into the sign of Pisces, where it is in retrograde and will become direct on December 11th. Astrologers believe that this rare conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn could bring significant profit to three zodiac signs before the Diwali festival, making this period golden for them.
For Gemini, this period is important regarding savings and finances. Since Jupiter is located in the second house from your sign, which is associated with money, family, and savings, new opportunities for increasing income may appear in the coming months. Employees might be offered a salary increase, new responsibilities, or a more favorable position. There is also a high probability of favorable chances for those planning to change jobs. Entrepreneurs may benefit from old contacts, and frozen funds may return.
New paths to financial well-being open up for Virgo in the coming months. People employed at work can expect a promotion or career advancement, leading to increased sources of income. There are signs of profiting from old projects or connections. If investments were made previously, there is a possibility of receiving a good return. New clients and orders are appearing for the business community, and circumstances are becoming favorable for those who have long awaited financial improvement.
The next few months may be important for Libra in terms of career. Jupiter, being in Cancer, activates the tenth house from your sign. In astrology, the tenth house is associated with work, career, status, and prestige. Thanks to this situation, responsibility at work may increase. Promotions, job changes, or the appearance of a new job are possible. Those who have been waiting for better opportunities should expect good news in the coming months.
