Oman Kite Festival 2025: What the July 15 Event Means for Business Opportunities and Investments in Oman
Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), in partnership with Oman Sail, has officially announced the Oman Kite Festival 2025. Scheduled to take place from July 15 to 24, the festival will begin at Barr al Hikman and conclude at Ras Al Hadd, covering some of the Sultanate’s most scenic coastal areas.
Sultan Sulaiman al Khudoori, Assets Manager at OMRAN Group, emphasized that the festival supports OMRAN’s strategic goal of diversifying tourism offerings and leveraging Oman’s exceptional natural assets. He highlighted that the strong enthusiasm generated by last year’s downwinder races inspired an expansion of the event this year, both in terms of geographic reach and duration.
The extended format aims to attract a larger number of international athletes while providing a richer tourism experience that showcases the diversity of Oman’s coastal landscapes.
Shaima Said Al Asmi, events specialist at Oman Sail, described the festival as a significant achievement in developing marine sports within Oman. He underscored the country’s ideal coastal environment, characterized by diverse ecosystems and favorable wind and weather conditions. The involvement of elite international kitesurfers adds a new dimension to the festival and reinforces Oman’s status as a premier destination for water-based adventure tourism.
The festival’s main feature is a multi-stage “Downwinder” race, conducted over four legs: from Barr al Hikman to Masirah Island, Masirah to Ras Al Ruwais, the Pink Lagoons to Al Ashkharah, and Ras Al Jinz to Ras Al Hadd. Additional competitions include the Kite Course Race at Barr al Hikman, Coastal Race at Masirah Island, and Slalom Race at Ras Al Hadd.
Alongside the sporting events, the festival will host family-friendly activities and a showcase for small and medium enterprises at Ashkharah Municipal Park, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The launch of the Oman Kite Festival 2025 presents a strategic opportunity for businesses in Oman to tap into the growing adventure and marine sports tourism sector, leveraging the country’s unique coastal assets. This expanded event can boost local SMEs and hospitality industries through increased tourist footfall and international exposure, while investors should consider supporting tourism infrastructure and service innovations to capture long-term value from this emerging niche market.