Why GCC investors are turning to Oman for property opportunities
Oman's real estate market is quietly transforming into one of the Gulf region's most promising investment opportunities.
Driven by its ambitious Vision 2040 diversification strategy, Oman has positioned real estate and tourism as key pillars for economic growth, creating strong incentives for GCC investors looking for stability, affordability, and sustained returns.
Current market dynamics: Stability and growth
The sultanate's real estate sector contributed
With the population projected to grow from
The residential real estate market alone is expected to reach
Who's investing and why?
Investor interest from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Europe, the US, India, and Pakistan is growing notably, drawn by Oman's lower property values, approximately three to five times lower than Dubai's, and comparable quality of infrastructure.
Investors find Oman attractive due to its safe and politically stable environment, transparent market conditions, and competitive returns, with rental yields ranging between
Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) have become particularly appealing to foreign buyers, offering rare gateways for freehold ownership in designated zones, coupled with lifestyle amenities and potential residency visas for buyers and their families.
Areas of high investor interest
Muscat and Salalah currently lead the market, offering distinct advantages. Muscat provides an established urban infrastructure and critical economic importance, hosting key government institutions and major financial flows. Salalah, conversely, offers a unique natural appeal with its summer monsoon season that transforms the region into a green oasis, unparalleled within the GCC. Both cities host formally designated ITC zones, enabling foreign investors unrestricted freehold property ownership.
Beyond these cities, upcoming developments in Musandam, Duqm, and various industrial hubs indicate broader regional expansion, suggesting significant future investment opportunities.
Upcoming developments
Several significant projects are underway, transforming Oman's coastal, mountainous and urban landscapes. AIDA by DarGlobal is situated on a picturesque plateau 130 meters above sea level, offering villas, townhouses, apartments, branded hospitality, retail spaces, and the Trump Golf Club, all set within luxurious surroundings.
The Sustainable City Yiti by SDIC is pioneering sustainable development with advanced green technologies, significantly reducing maintenance costs and operational expenses, and featuring residential, educational, commercial, and recreational amenities.
A new ultra-luxury beachfront project is set to launch soon on Yiti Beach, one of Muscat's most desirable shorelines. Highly anticipated by both European and GCC investors, the project will feature apartments, villas, and townhouses nestled in lush landscaped gardens, as well as cafés, restaurants, and a beachfront club. Additionally, Muscat's Luxury ITC Project in Muttrah is set to offer ultra-luxury waterfront residential units and retail spaces, strategically positioned in Muscat's historic centre.
Branded residences from prestigious international names such as St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental, and La Vie by Tivoli are also emerging, attracting high-end buyers seeking prestige alongside potential capital gains.
Strategic initiatives supporting growth
The Omani government continues to facilitate market expansion by allocating additional land for
To sustain market momentum, developers are advised to align their projects closely with investor expectations, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and unique lifestyle propositions. These strategic moves ensure both market attractiveness and long-term investment appeal.
The outlook
Analysis indicates robust and continued growth in Oman's property values, with notable off-plan projects demonstrating annual price increases between 15 to 18 per cent. However, the country faces a substantial housing deficit, estimated at
Oman's real estate market stands at a pivotal moment, offering GCC investors a compelling mix of affordability, stability, lifestyle benefits, and sustained returns. Complemented by its diverse and breathtaking landscapes, from pristine beaches to lush mountains and verdant oases, Oman represents an increasingly attractive investment destination poised for significant regional impact.
The writer is the COO of Whitewill Real Estate in Oman and Abu Dhabi.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Emirates 24/7
9 minutes ago
- Emirates 24/7
Emirates to introduce third daily flight to Mauritius
Emirates has announced the introduction of a third daily flight to Mauritius, starting from 1st December, as part of its commitment to supporting inbound tourism to the island nation. The additional service, to be operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft as EK709/710, will complement existing schedules and support the travel plans of Emirates customers planning trips to the popular destination from across its network of more than 140 points. Emirates currently serves Mauritius with two daily services aboard its flagship A380 aircraft, operating as EK701/702 and EK703/704. The addition of the third daily service, under a codeshare arrangement with Air Mauritius, will provide convenient flight timings to support travel itineraries and enable seamless connectivity for customers from the Middle East, Europe and the Americas travelling to the Indian Ocean holiday spot. Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said, 'The additional daily service on our wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft will enable a more than 30 percent increase in capacity on the route, while also providing additional flight options for leisure and business travellers to seamlessly connect to flights.' Since Emirates launched its scheduled services to Mauritius in 2002, the airline has carried more than 8.8 million passengers and more than 126,000 tonnes of cargo on flights to and from Mauritius. Its passenger and cargo operations have generated significant economic and social contributions, including US$119 million in direct contribution from Emirates' flights, US$264 million in tourism receipts, as well as US$530 million to the Mauritian economy through tourism-related spending. Emirates' operations have also supported the creation of 3,600 jobs in the nation.
Zawya
9 minutes ago
- Zawya
Jordan: Cabinet approves new regulations, says they aim to ease tourism rules, support farmers
AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday approved two major bylaws aimed at revitalising the tourism sector, simplifying regulations, and attracting investment, in line with recent amendments to the Tourism Law. Chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, the Cabinet endorsed the 2025 Hotel and Tourism Establishments Bylaw and the 2025 Tourist Restaurants Bylaw, both designed to improve the business environment and reduce regulatory burdens, according to the Jordan news agency, Petra. Under the new regulations, hotels and tourism establishments will no longer require a licence to operate. Instead, they will need approval from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which will also oversee classification standards. Licensing fees have been scrapped, easing operational costs for business owners. The bylaw also introduces mandatory compliance with inclusive tourism standards, ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children, alongside adherence to environmental regulations. The Tourist Restaurants Bylaw eliminates the requirement for a ministry-issued licence, replacing it with a classification or registration system. It also cancels licensing fees, aligning with the amended Tourism Law. Tourist restaurants must now meet public health and safety requirements, including regulations related to smoking and the provision of waterpipes, according to Petra. These legislative reforms form part of the government's broader Economic Modernisation Vision, which identifies tourism as a key driver of economic growth. In a move to bolster local agriculture, the Cabinet approved the purchase of locally produced wheat and barley, both for seed and fodder purposes, during the 2024/2025 agricultural season. Procurement will be handled by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply via the open trade account, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jordanian Cooperative Corporation, Petra reported. Approved purchase prices were set at JD500 per tonne for seed-grade wheat and JD420 for seed-grade barley, while fodder-grade wheat and barley were priced at JD420 and JD370 per tonne, respectively. To ease financial pressure on farmers, the government will reduce seed prices for the 2025/2026 season by JD50 per tonne, and will cover screening and sterilisation costs, estimated at JD75 per tonne. A total of JD19 million has been allocated for the purchase of approximately 40,000 tonnes of grain, Petra said. These measures aim to promote self-sufficiency in key crops and incentivise expanded cultivation. The Cabinet also approved an amendment to the 2025 Building and Zoning Bylaw for the Greater Amman Municipality. The change extends a discount on unpaid building fees to buildings constructed in 2025. The aim is to alleviate the financial burden on property owners, with some fines currently reaching four times the original violation cost. The Cabinet endorsed the validating reasons for the proposed 2025 bylaw for Greater Amman Municipality employees, which will be submitted to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau. The bylaw seeks to streamline human resources regulations, address inconsistencies in implementation, and improve municipal service delivery by enhancing staff efficiency and supporting strategic goals. The Cabinet also approved the construction of a new access road to the planned government hospital in Madaba. The road will be implemented by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, while a parallel route will be constructed by the Ministry of Local Administration. The roads are deemed critical infrastructure for the hospital project.
Zawya
9 minutes ago
- Zawya
EY Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 as Gold Sponsor Amid Rising Capital Demand in Angola
Consulting firm EY has joined the 2025 edition of the Angola Oil&Gas (AOG) conference – taking place on September 3-4 in Luanda – as a Gold Sponsor. EY's return to the event reflects its commitment to supporting Angolan oil, gas and infrastructure projects, and comes as the country seeks new sources of finance to advance projects and support sustainable economic growth. Angola's oil and gas sector is rapidly growing, as companies increase their investments and new players enter the market. Striving to sustain oil production above one million barrels per day (bpd) while reaching 445,000 bpd in refining capacity, the country is promoting investment across the entire oil and gas value chain. It's strategic position at the intersection of Southern and Central Africa, combined with decades-long experience as a major producer and commitment to industry reform, makes it an attractive market for foreign capital. As the market grows, so does the demand for financial and tax support. Stepping into this picture, EY represents a strong partner for global and regional operators. Offering a suite of consulting, assurance, tax and transaction services, EY has long-played an instrumental role in supporting Angolan projects. With teams across 150 countries worldwide, the company brings its global expertise to the Angolan market, supporting project development through assurance, tax, law, strategy and transaction solutions. The company has been active in Angola for 68 years, providing services that are designed to assist energy and resource companies in navigating challenges and expanding their investments. Beyond offering support for global companies, EY's experience in the Angolan market provides an avenue for local SMEs to expand their footprint in the country's oil and gas sector. By providing tailored financing solutions for SMEs, the company works with local SMEs as they navigate the challenges and opportunities present across the market. As the largest event of its kind in the country, AOG 2025 has evolved to become the premier platform for signing deals. Bringing together Angolan government agencies, global operators and leading technology and service providers, the event seeks to spur a new wave of investment across the Angolan oil and gas value chain. EY's sponsorship reflect its commitment to supporting this development and will strengthen conversations around financing oil and gas projects in Angola. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
