Saturday 20 / June / 2026
MUSCAT: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) organized an extensive meeting to showcase 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 present the development and tourism vision for Duqm’s waterfront, highlighting key investment opportunities and proposed tourism and real estate projects designed to reinforce Duqm’s position as a promising investment and tourism destination in the region.
Covering an area of 31 square kilometers and featuring a 15-kilometer coastline endowed with unique natural assets, the master plan combines pristine beaches, striking rock formations, and distinctive landscapes to create an integrated destination that blends luxury tourism, upscale residential communities, eco-tourism, and recreational attractions.
The project is based on a long-term vision to transform Duqm’s waterfront into a vibrant urban and tourism hub supported by a world-class port, a fully integrated marina, hospitality facilities, and multi-purpose leisure amenities.
According to the proposed plan, the development will include more than 2,600 hotel rooms by 2040, over 3,700 residential units, and more than 63,000 square meters of commercial space. The project will also feature cultural and entertainment facilities spanning more than one million square meters and is expected to attract approximately 370,000 visitors annually, creating significant opportunities for investors and developers in the tourism, hospitality, real estate, and retail sectors.
The project benefits from a strategic location linking Muscat and Salalah and is supported by advanced infrastructure, including Duqm International Airport, Duqm Port, and modern road networks. Investors will also benefit from incentives offered by SEZAD, including tax exemptions of up to 30 years, 100 percent foreign ownership, and land usufruct rights of up to 99 years.
By the end of last year, committed investments in Duqm’s tourism sector had exceeded OMR 853 million.
Tourism investments in Duqm currently include 21 hotels, 10 hotel apartment projects, and a large-scale tourism development featuring hotels, villas, and serviced apartments.
These figures reflect growing demand for tourism services in the region, increasing visitor numbers, and the dynamic business environment supported by incentives and facilitation measures provided by OPAZ and the management of SEZAD.
Statistics issued by the Special Economic Zone at Duqm indicated that 16 tourism projects had been completed by the end of last year. An additional 11 projects are under construction, while five projects have yet to commence construction.
The new waterfront master plan marks Duqm’s transition from a phase focused on infrastructure development and support services to one centered on creating an integrated tourism destination. The project seeks to establish a comprehensive urban and tourism environment combining residential, hospitality, commercial, and leisure components, thereby attracting quality investments and increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to economic diversification in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Duqm’s strategic location on the Arabian Sea and its expansive waterfront area provide opportunities for a diverse range of tourism developments, including seaside resorts, marinas, recreational facilities, and eco-tourism attractions such as the Rock Garden and adventure tourism experiences. The area also enjoys relatively moderate summer temperatures, enhancing its appeal for domestic and regional tourism.
During the meeting, OPAZ emphasized that the development of Duqm’s waterfront represents a key milestone in maximizing the economic value of the location and creating an integrated urban and tourism environment that responds to market needs while aligning with global trends in sustainable coastal city development.
The event forms part of a series of initiatives undertaken by the authority to expand investment opportunities, strengthen collaboration with the private sector, and accelerate development within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm in support of Oman Vision 2040 objectives.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of OPAZ, along with representatives from private sector companies, real estate developers, financial institutions, and banks.
