Oman’s Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) is advancing a comprehensive coastal tourism development plan aimed at transforming Al Duqm into a multifaceted investment and tourism hub along the Arabian Sea. The initiative envisions the creation of a 16-kilometre waterfront featuring hotels, resorts, tourist accommodations, public spaces, walking trails, eco-tourism sites, and sustainable infrastructure to capitalize on the area’s natural beauty and strategic position.

The master plan highlights Al Duqm’s sandy beaches, coastal landscapes, distinctive rock formations, and proximity to key transport facilities such as the Port of Duqm and Duqm Airport. It includes the development of a world-class marina, recreational and cultural centers, sports and wellness amenities, an equestrian club, and a golf course intended to diversify attractions and draw both visitors and investors.

By 2030, the project targets the completion of seven hotels and resorts totaling 687 rooms, alongside 870 residential units, with an expected annual tourist influx exceeding 200,000. Expansion over the following decade aims to nearly double this capacity, with plans for 14 hotels offering approximately 1,990 rooms, 3,770 residential units, and 697 holiday homes by 2040, alongside projected tourist arrivals approaching 740,000 per year.

In addition to hospitality infrastructure, the development will include activity and entertainment centers, retail areas, integrated residential and tourism districts, a waterfront promenade, and new residential communities to foster a vibrant urban environment.

Engineer Abdullah bin Salim al Hakmani, director of SEZAD’s Technical Affairs Department and project manager for the master and detailed plans, noted that the development aligns with the zone’s Five-Year Plan for 2026–2030. He emphasized the goal of enhancing Al Duqm’s attractiveness for tourism investments by leveraging its unique natural assets and establishing a comprehensive urban framework conducive to sustainable growth.

Work is underway on a 14-kilometre dual coastal tourism road that will connect various urban sectors within the master plan, facilitating access to land plots and linking the area with the fishing port and city center. Currently, tourism projects occupy approximately two square kilometers, or about 6.5 percent of the total planned development area.

Tourism investment commitments in SEZAD reached around 853 million Omani rials by the end of 2025, encompassing both existing and upcoming projects. Al Duqm presently offers roughly 2,000 hotel rooms across multiple categories, supporting anticipated growth in visitor numbers.

This initiative reflects SEZAD’s broader strategy to promote sustainable tourism, enhance quality of life, and diversify Oman's economy in accordance with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and national efforts to strengthen non-oil sectors.