Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has announced the signing of 36 usufruct contracts to implement tourism projects in different governorates from January to September 2025, to the tune of RO100 million ($260 million).
The projects
underscored the Ministry’s efforts to boost investments in the tourism sector
in implementation of the Tourism Development Plan, reported ONA.
The contracts were
distributed in Oman’s governorates as follows: Four of the contracts were
signed in Muscat Governorate for the construction of 2 tourist camps in the
Wilayat of Qurayat, in addition to a 3-star resort and an integrated tourism
complex in the Wilayat of Bausher.
In Dhofar Governorate,
2 contracts were signed—the first of which dealt with the restoration of an
existing tourist resort in the Wilayat of Rakhyout, while the second provided
for the establishment of an integrated tourist complex in the governorate.
In A’Dakhiliyah
Governorate, 10 contracts were signed for the construction of 3-star hotels,
tourism resorts of different categories and a tourist camp in Jabal Shams, in
addition to a one-star hotel in Jabal Al Akhdar.
In South Al Batinah
Governorate, 4 contracts were signed for the establishment of hotels, resorts
and a tourist camp.
In Al Buraimi
Governorate one contract was signed for establishing an integrated tourist
resort.
North A’Sharqiyah
Governorate garnered the largest number of contracts (11 contracts), most of
which pertained to the implementation of projects in the Wilayat of Bidiyah
that included the establishment of tourist camps and 3-star hotels. This was in
addition to a commercial and tourism investment project in the Wilayat of Ibra.
South A’Sharqiyah
Governorate also signed 3 contracts for the implementation of projects in the
Wilayat of Sur and the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan, including a tourism
resort and two tourist camps.
Musandam Governorate
signed one contract for establishing an integrated tourism complex in the
Wilayat of Khasab.
The Ministry of
Heritage and Tourism affirmed that the contracts were in pursuance of its
investment programme aimed to generate economic benefits and provide employment
opportunities for local communities, with emphasis on empowering small and
medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhancing their role in value chains linked to
the tourism sector.
The step also aimed to augment the hotel sector's capacity and improve the quality of services in line with sustainable tourism development plans that focus on providing integrated experiences for tourists in a manner that reflects the Sultanate of Oman’s natural, cultural and heritage diversity.