Coastal Tourism Expansion by SEZAD: Key Opportunities for Investors and Entrepreneurs in Oman
آل الدقم: The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) is progressing with a significant coastal tourism master plan designed to transform Duqm into a comprehensive tourism and investment hub on the Arabian Sea.
This initiative aims to establish a 16-kilometre waterfront enhanced by a range of amenities, including hotels, resorts, tourist accommodations, public spaces, walking trails, eco-tourism facilities, and sustainable infrastructure. The plan leverages Duqm’s natural attributes, such as its sandy beaches, coastal landscapes, and unique rock formations, as well as its proximity to the Port of Duqm and Duqm Airport.
Central to the master plan is the creation of a world-class marina, alongside recreational and cultural facilities, health and wellness areas, an equestrian club, and a golf course. These components are intended to diversify the tourism offerings and attract both visitors and investors.
By 2030, the project aims to establish seven hotels and resorts, providing 687 hotel rooms و 870 residential units, with a target of attracting more than 200,000 tourists annually. By 2040, it is expected to expand to 14 hotels with around 1,990 rooms, 3,770 residential units، و 697 holiday homes, projecting annual tourist arrivals to reach approximately 740,000.
Additionally, the development will feature activity and entertainment centres, shopping areas, integrated residential and tourism districts, a waterfront promenade, and new residential communities.
مهندس Abdullah bin Salim al Hakmani, Director of the Technical Affairs Department and Project Manager for the coastal tourism area in SEZAD, emphasized that the project is part of the zone’s Five-Year Plan 2026–2030. He stated that the plan focuses on enhancing Duqm’s attractiveness for tourism investments and partnerships by optimizing its natural assets and establishing a coherent urban framework for future growth.
Al Hakmani highlighted the coastal area’s strategic position overlooking the Arabian Sea and its distinctive geological features, which support its tourism potential. He noted that work is underway on a 14-kilometre dual coastal tourism road, aimed at connecting various urban sectors within the master plan, improving access to land plots, and linking the area to the fishing port and city center.
Currently, the area hosts several existing and planned tourism projects covering around two square kilometres, which is about ۶.۵ درصد of the total development area. By the end of 2025, committed tourism investments in SEZAD are expected to reach approximately RO 853 million, encompassing both existing and planned initiatives.
Al Hakmani mentioned that Duqm currently offers around 2,000 hotel rooms across various categories, reinforcing its capacity to support the anticipated growth in tourism.
This project aligns with SEZAD’s broader strategy to integrate sustainable tourism, improve quality of life, and promote economic diversification, in accordance with چشمانداز عمان ۲۰۴۰ and national efforts to enhance investment in promising non-oil sectors.
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The coastal tourism master plan in Duqm presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly in the hospitality and eco-tourism sectors, aiming to attract over 740,000 tourists annually by 2040با RO 853 million committed investments, local entrepreneurs should consider advancing partnerships and innovative ventures that align with the zone’s focus on sustainable tourism و توسعه شهری. However, the potential for rapid growth also entails risks; businesses must stay adaptive to changing market dynamics and regulatory frameworks in this evolving landscape.
