Oman claims Duqm is 'most promising' tourism hub

Authorities in the Sultanate of Oman claim Duqm will become the “most promising” tourist destination in the future

In anticipation of the a tourism policy being unveiled in January 2016, authorities in Oman are pitching Duqm—a port town located on the Arabian Sea—as the “most promising” tourist destination in the future.

Duqm is located in the south-central region, 550 kilometres from Muscat, and has already witnessed a tourism boom recently due to its tourism characteristics and advantages.

The destination currently has several hotels, resorts and rest houses that are witnessing strong year round occupancy rates, adding to the region's attractiveness for upcoming tourism investments.

“The wilayat includes many unique tourism elements, especially the beautiful beaches from the east, sand dunes characterised by their pristine landscapes, in addition to mountainous highlands with many valleys and bays, which represent an inherently self-sustained environment,” said an official statement quoting Sheikh Mohsen bin Hamad bin Mohsen Al-Maskari.

“These include many scenic villages and valleys, which include prosopis, alder buckthorn, and acacia tortilis, among others,” he said.

The director of tourism department Al-Wusta Governorate, Azad bin Amer Taman Al-Omari, said Duqm has a distinctive tourist potential and its nature is fraught with factors that constitute a tourist attraction.

“Therefore, the tourism ministry will offer land for investment from time to time,” said Al-Omari.

Recently established hotels in Duqm include the four-star Crowne Plaza Hotel and the three-star Al-Madina Hotel owned by the Oman Tourism Development Company (OTDC).