Muscat: The coastal tourism master plan seeks to strengthen Duqm’s position as an integrated tourism and investment destination by capitalising on its natural assets, including vast sandy beaches, striking rock formations and scenic coastal landscapes. Its strategic location near the Port of Duqm and Duqm Airport is expected to further enhance accessibility for tourists and investors.

A key feature of the project is the development of a vibrant 16-kilometre waterfront that will host hotels, resorts, tourist homes, public spaces, walking trails and eco-tourism facilities. The development will also incorporate green energy solutions and sustainability principles while preserving the area’s natural environment.

The master plan includes a world-class marina, entertainment and cultural facilities, sports and wellness tourism zones, an equestrian club and a golf course, offering a diverse range of experiences for visitors and investors alike.

According to project targets, by 2030 Duqm is expected to have seven hotels and resorts with 687 hotel rooms, along with 870 residential units, attracting more than 200,000 tourists annually. By 2040, capacity is projected to increase to 14 hotels with around 1,990 hotel rooms, 3,770 residential units and 697 holiday homes, enabling the destination to welcome approximately 740,000 visitors each year.

The comprehensive plan also features marinas, activity and entertainment centres, commercial hubs, sports and health facilities, integrated residential and tourism districts, seaside promenades and modern residential communities.

Engineer Abdullah bin Salem Al-Hakmani, Director of the Department of Technical Affairs and Project Director for the Coastal Tourism Area Development Plan in SEZAD, said the initiative forms part of the zone’s 2026–2030 five-year strategy aimed at attracting tourism investments and strengthening partnerships.

Al-Hakmani noted that the project benefits from a prime location overlooking the Arabian Sea and is enriched by unique natural and geological features that enhance its tourism appeal. He added that a 14-kilometre dual-carriageway coastal tourism road is currently under construction to connect urban sectors within the master plan and improve access to land plots, the fishing port and the city centre.

He further revealed that tourism projects, both existing and planned, cover around two square kilometres, accounting for approximately 6.5 per cent of the total master plan area. Investment commitments in Duqm’s tourism sector had reached around RO 853 million by the end of 2025.

Al-Hakmani also highlighted that the Special Economic Zone at Duqm currently offers about 2,000 hotel rooms across various categories, positioning the region to accommodate the anticipated growth in tourism over the coming years.

The project reflects SEZAD’s commitment to creating a sustainable development model that combines tourism, quality of life and economic growth, while supporting Oman Vision 2040’s goals of economic diversification and increased investment in promising sectors.