Foundation Stone Laid for RO 80 Million Salalah Tourism Complex: What This Means for Investors and Business Growth in Oman

• By Oman Market
• July 28, 2025July 28, 2025
• Dhofar hotel development tourism
• With 0 comments

SALALAH: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism marked the foundation stone laying on Monday for a new integrated tourism complex in the Junuf area of Salalah. This ambitious project, with an estimated investment of RO 80 million, aims to enhance the tourism infrastructure in Dhofar Governorate.

This development stands out as a landmark tourism initiative due to its strategic location and extensive hospitality facilities. It is being executed in collaboration with Al-Wathba Hospitality Company under a usufruct agreement signed in February 2025.

The first phase, slated for completion within 30 months, will feature a five-star hotel comprising 124 guest units, a fully equipped marina with restaurants and cafes, a beach club, a health club, and a main entrance gate to the complex.

Azzan Qasim al Busaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, highlighted the project’s role in supporting small and medium enterprises, creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities, boosting local content, and offering training and qualification programs for Omani nationals in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

He further emphasized that the project significantly contributes to the development of tourist destinations across Oman, particularly in Dhofar, which is renowned for its rich natural and environmental diversity. Al Busaidi noted that such initiatives reflect the government’s dedication to economic diversification through strategic investment in tourism.

Khalid Abdullah al Abri, Director General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate, described the project as one of the most prominent in the region, given its investment scale and diverse components. He detailed that the initial phase would include a five-star hotel and one of Oman’s largest yacht marinas, alongside a fully integrated beachfront, all aimed at enhancing Dhofar’s tourism infrastructure.

Al Abri also pointed out the Ministry’s recent efforts to promote Dhofar by opening new tourism markets and introducing direct flight routes, which led to a 9% increase in visitors during the 2024 Khareef (monsoon) season and an 18% rise in the winter season compared to the previous year.

The foundation stone ceremony included the presentation of promotional videos showcasing Dhofar Governorate and the project’s features, culminating with the official foundation stone laying by the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism.

This project represents a major addition to Oman’s tourism landscape, offering integrated facilities, attractive investment opportunities, and strengthened public-private partnerships, all poised to boost tourism activity in Dhofar Governorate. — ONA

Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market

The launch of the RO 80 million integrated tourism complex in Salalah signals a strategic push towards economic diversification and tourism infrastructure enhancement in Dhofar. For businesses, this creates significant opportunities in hospitality, retail, and marine services, while also demanding focus on local content and workforce development. Smart investors should consider the potential for long-term growth tied to rising tourist inflows and government-backed initiatives, positioning themselves early in this emerging luxury and leisure market to capitalize on Oman’s expanding tourism footprint.