Media

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) organized an extensive meeting to present the master plan for the Duqm Waterfront Tourism Development Project as part of its efforts to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and attract high-quality investments to the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD).

The meeting aimed to showcase the development vision and tourism strategy underpinning the Duqm Waterfront master plan, while highlighting key investment opportunities and proposed tourism and real estate projects. The initiative seeks to reinforce Duqm’s position as a promising investment and tourism destination at the regional level.

Covering an area of 31 square kilometers and featuring a 15-kilometer-long waterfront endowed with unique natural assets, the master plan integrates beaches, dramatic rock formations, and distinctive natural landscapes, creating a comprehensive destination that combines luxury tourism, upscale residential communities, eco-tourism, and recreational experiences.

The project is based on a long-term vision to transform the waterfront area within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm into a vibrant urban and tourism hub, supported by a world-class port, an integrated marina, and a range of hospitality, leisure, and mixed-use facilities.

The proposed master plan includes the development of more than 2,600 hotel and hospitality units by 2040, over 3,700 residential units, and more than 63,000 square meters of commercial space. It also features cultural and recreational facilities spanning over one million square meters. The project is expected to attract approximately 370,000 visitors annually, reflecting the scale of opportunities available to investors and developers in the tourism, hospitality, real estate, and retail sectors.

The project enjoys a strategic location connecting Muscat and Salalah and is supported by advanced infrastructure, including Duqm International Airport, Port of Duqm, and modern road networks. It also benefits from the investment incentives offered by SEZAD, including tax exemptions of up to 30 years, 100% foreign ownership, and land usufruct rights of up to 99 years, enhancing the project’s attractiveness to both local and international investors.

By the end of last year, the total committed investment volume in the tourism sector within SEZAD exceeded OMR 853 million.

Duqm’s tourism investment portfolio currently includes 21 hotels, 10 hotel apartment projects, in addition to a multi-facility tourism development comprising hotels, villas, and serviced apartments.

These figures reflect the growing demand for tourism services in the region, increasing numbers of tourists and visitors, an active business environment, and the incentives and facilities provided by OPAZ and the management of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm.

Statistics issued by the Special Economic Zone at Duqm indicate that, by the end of last year, a total of 16 tourism projects had been completed, while 11 projects were under construction and 5 projects had not yet commenced construction activities.

The new Duqm Waterfront master plan marks SEZAD’s transition from a phase focused on infrastructure development and support services to one centered on creating an integrated tourism destination. Through the development of a comprehensive urban and tourism environment that combines residential, leisure, hospitality, and commercial components, the project will enhance Duqm’s ability to attract high-value investments and increase the tourism sector’s contribution to economic diversification in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Duqm benefits from its unique geographical location on the Arabian Sea, as well as an extensive waterfront development area covering 31 square kilometers under the new master plan. This provides opportunities for a diverse range of tourism projects, including beachfront resorts, tourism marinas, recreational facilities, and eco-tourism attractions such as the Rock Garden and adventure tourism activities. The area also enjoys relatively moderate summer weather conditions, making it an attractive destination for both domestic and regional tourism.

During the meeting, OPAZ emphasized that the development of the Duqm waterfront represents a key milestone in its plans to maximize the economic value of the location and create an integrated urban and tourism environment that responds to market demands and aligns with global trends in sustainable coastal city development.

The meeting forms part of a series of initiatives undertaken by OPAZ to enhance investment opportunities, expand partnerships with the private sector, and accelerate development within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, along with representatives from private sector companies, real estate developers, financial institutions, and banks.