Latest news with #AlJabalAlAkhdhar
Zawya
30-07-2025
- Zawya
Oman: Almost 90,000 visit Al Jabal Al Akhdhar
Muscat - Al Jabal Al Akhdhar received 89,700 visitors by the end of June 2025, according to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). These numbers show the mountain's ongoing popularity among local and regional travellers, especially during the warmer summer months. Leading the way in visitor numbers were Omanis, with 26,600 visitors in the first half of 2025. This highlights the strong bond Omanis have with their natural surroundings, as many seek cooler temperatures and peaceful landscapes during the peak of summer. Salim al Nabhani, a visitor from Muscat, shared his thoughts saying: "My family and I visit Al Jabal Al Akhdhar every summer. The weather is pleasant, the views are stunning and the tourism services have improved greatly. It's the perfect escape." Coming in second among GCC nationals were visitors from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with 4,400 Saudis exploring the area. This increased interest can be attributed to the convenient travel options by road and air, family-friendly resorts, and a shared admiration for the mountainous scenery. Collaborative tourism campaigns between Oman and Saudi Arabia have also helped raise awareness of Oman's hidden natural treasures, with Al Jabal Al Akhdhar being one of the most prominent. Additionally, 759 visitors from Kuwait visited Al Jabal Al Akhdhar during the same period. While this number is lower in comparison, it indicates a gradual rise in interest, especially among travellers seeking tranquil, nature-filled destinations away from city life. With ongoing marketing strategies and regional partnerships, Oman's tourism sector looks forward to continued growth in visitor numbers from Kuwait and other GCC nations. Situated within the Hajar Mountains, Al Jabal Al Akhdhar rises over 3,000 metres above sea level, providing a cool and moderate climate, even during Oman's hottest months. Its altitude makes it an ideal retreat for both local and international tourists. The area is renowned for its diverse agriculture. Villages like Sayq, Al Sherijah and Bani Habib offer picturesque terraces, traditional homes and scenic hiking trails. Recent years have seen significant investments in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar's tourism infrastructure. Luxury resorts and hotels have opened, roads have been upgraded and more tour operators now offer guided hikes, adventure activities and eco-tourism experiences. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed that the government is actively implementing a sustainable tourism development plan. This plan includes expanding nature-based activities, preserving cultural heritage and supporting rural communities through tourism-related initiatives. Many families from the Gulf region prefer spending their summer vacations in safe, cool and naturally beautiful locations — and Al Jabal Al Akhdhar perfectly fits the bill. This rise in domestic and regional tourism aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which positions tourism as a key driver of economic diversification. With its breathtaking landscapes, pleasant climate and expanding hospitality options, Al Jabal Al Akhdhar is not only becoming a summer sanctuary, but also a year-round destination for travellers from the region and beyond. If the early 2025 numbers are any indication, the second half of the year may see even stronger growth — possibly leading to a record-breaking tourism season. 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Zawya
Oman: Over 89,000 visit Al Jabal Al Akhdhar
The number of visitors to the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate from January to the end of June reached 89,780, compared to 84,869 visitors during the same period in 2024, marking an increase of 5.8 per cent. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Locations for proposed Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Airport
MUSCAT - The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is in the process of appointing a consultancy firm to select a site for the newly announced airport at the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. Speaking at the media briefing last week, CAA Chairman Naif bin Ali al Abri, said: 'Regarding the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Airport, in truth, there are several options for the location, and no final decision has been made yet. Therefore, we will soon appoint a consultancy firm to study these sites and then select the most suitable location based on various considerations and data.' According to the Chairman, upon the selection of a suitable location, 'a feasibility study will be conducted, covering operations, design, costs and so on, until the details are submitted to the relevant authorities to decide whether or not to proceed,' he further noted. First announced last year, the proposed airport is part of a broader strategy that includes the development of six new domestic airports. Other airports planned include sites in Suhar, Musandam, and Masirah Island. In earlier statements to the Observer, the Chairman unveiled that the new developments aim to enhance air connectivity to drive tourism, logistics and attract investments. Last year, a total of 203,629 tourists travelled to the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information. The airport is expected to further boost visits to the mountain-top destination, which is currently accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning also unveiled a $2.4 billion development project in the wilayat, the 'Al Jabal Al Aali Destination', which will include 2,527 residential units, hotels and a health and wellness village. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
19-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Sayyid Bilarab graces opening of Oman Real Estate Conference, and Design & Construction Week
Muscat: HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said graces today the opening of the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference, Exhibition, and Design & Construction Week at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center. The event witnessed broad participation from major local and international real estate investors and developers, along with a number of experts and consultants in urban development, real estate, and construction. During the inauguration, HH Sayyid Bilarab launched the "A'Thuraya" smart urban city project in the Wilayat of Bausher and the High Mountain project in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar as a global mountain destination. A'Thuraya represents a futuristic model for sustainable living and urban integration, spanning three development phases. The first phase covers an area exceeding 3 million square meters, aiming to accommodate over 8,000 residents through 2,600 housing units across eight integrated residential neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the High Mountain project, designed along a 5.4-kilometre mountain ridge spanning 11.8 square kilometers, will host around 10,000 residents with innovative and diverse housing units across three main villages. The ceremony also saw the signing of nine partnership and development agreements with a total investment value exceeding RO 2.3 billion. These agreements include high-quality developmental projects in Sultan Haitham City and A'Thuraya City, further enhancing Oman's urban growth map and opening new investment horizons in the real estate sector. Among the signed agreements were two investment and development partnerships worth over RO 1.7 billion, covering an area exceeding 4.8 million square meters. These include the development of Neighborhoods 7, 8, 9, 11, 12A, and 12B in Sultan Haitham City, spanning over 2.6 million square meters. The projects will feature diverse residential units, including villas, apartments, and mixed-use buildings, alongside integrated facilities such as mosques, parks, and green spaces, as well as a social and sports club. A second agreement involves the development of a coastal area in the Wilayat of A'Seeb for a premium tourism project spanning over 2.2 million square meters, featuring a tourist hotel, residential zones with connected units, and a marina. Additionally, a key terms agreement was signed for the development of Neighborhoods 6C and 6D in Sultan Haitham City, with an investment exceeding OMR150 million. Another partnership worth over OMR240 million was signed to develop Neighborhood 6, a key area in the first phase of A'Thuraya City, covering 285,000 square meters and comprising 1,000 residential units. For the High Mountain project, a key terms agreement was signed to develop the health neighborhood in the Western Village, with an investment of OMR200 million across 630,000 square meters, featuring 500 residential and hotel units with a built-up area exceeding 100,000 square meters. A tender worth over OMR6 million was awarded for site preparation and leveling works in Sultan Haitham City (Package 1A), marking a pivotal step in establishing the city's infrastructure and enhancing connectivity between its neighborhoods and vital facilities. A partnership agreement worth OMR45 million will be signed to develop the first 4-star hotel façade in Sultan Haitham City at Januaries Residences, featuring 170 hotel rooms, 123 hotel apartments, and 96 residential apartments. A usufruct agreement was also signed to establish a precast concrete elements factory in Barka's Halban, with an initial investment of OMR2 million. Tenders worth a total of OMR13 million were awarded for A'Thuraya City, including site preparation works exceeding OMR7 million and engineering consultancy for construction supervision worth over RO 6 million. On the sidelines of the conference, 23 cooperation agreements will be signed to implement infrastructure for the integrated residential neighborhood projects "Sorouh," covering water and sewage networks, electricity distribution, and internet infrastructure across eight projects. Eight new investment opportunities will also be unveiled during the event for developing integrated residential neighborhoods under "Sorouh," spanning South Al Batinah, South A'Sharqiyah, Dhofar, Muscat, and A'Dakhiliyah governorates. These opportunities present a promising gateway for investors looking to contribute to the real estate sector's growth, diversifying housing projects and supporting sustainable economic development. As part of efforts to optimize government land use, 43 usufruct contracts worth over RO 7.3 million will be signed across various sectors, including 11 contracts for food security covering over 881 acres, 11 contracts for SMEs in the industrial sector spanning over 5,600 square meters, and a contract for a specialized sports academy exceeding 26,000 square meters, reflecting diversified investments in key economic and social development sectors. The six-day conference, exhibition, and Design & Construction Week—organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in collaboration with the Oman Real Estate Association and Connect Company—serves as a strategic platform to showcase real estate projects, highlight investment opportunities, and foster public-private partnerships amid national efforts to enhance the business environment and sustainable urban growth. The accompanying exhibition offers an interactive experience, allowing attendees to explore housing options firsthand, including live residential unit models from Sultan Haitham City, while bringing developers together under one roof. The Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition features over 40 speakers across 10 interactive sessions covering urban development, real estate investment, sustainability, and smart urban planning. Discussions will include specialized working papers highlighting Oman's real estate development experience, promising investment opportunities, incentives, and growth drivers, alongside global insights on enhancing market resilience amid economic fluctuations. An investment forum will also be held, gathering elite local and international investors to showcase future city projects and explore real estate opportunities in Oman, aiming to strengthen private-sector partnerships and attract quality investments in urban development.
Times of Oman
19-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Sayyid Bilarb graces opening of Oman Real Estate Conference, and Design & Construction Week
Muscat: HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said graces today the opening of the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference, Exhibition, and Design & Construction Week at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center. The event witnessed broad participation from major local and international real estate investors and developers, along with a number of experts and consultants in urban development, real estate, and construction. During the inauguration, HH Sayyid Bilarab launched the "A'Thuraya" smart urban city project in the Wilayat of Bausher and the High Mountain project in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar as a global mountain destination. A'Thuraya represents a futuristic model for sustainable living and urban integration, spanning three development phases. The first phase covers an area exceeding 3 million square meters, aiming to accommodate over 8,000 residents through 2,600 housing units across eight integrated residential neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the High Mountain project, designed along a 5.4-kilometre mountain ridge spanning 11.8 square kilometers, will host around 10,000 residents with innovative and diverse housing units across three main villages. The ceremony also saw the signing of nine partnership and development agreements with a total investment value exceeding RO 2.3 billion. These agreements include high-quality developmental projects in Sultan Haitham City and A'Thuraya City, further enhancing Oman's urban growth map and opening new investment horizons in the real estate sector. Among the signed agreements were two investment and development partnerships worth over RO 1.7 billion, covering an area exceeding 4.8 million square meters. These include the development of Neighborhoods 7, 8, 9, 11, 12A, and 12B in Sultan Haitham City, spanning over 2.6 million square meters. The projects will feature diverse residential units, including villas, apartments, and mixed-use buildings, alongside integrated facilities such as mosques, parks, and green spaces, as well as a social and sports club. A second agreement involves the development of a coastal area in the Wilayat of A'Seeb for a premium tourism project spanning over 2.2 million square meters, featuring a tourist hotel, residential zones with connected units, and a marina. Additionally, a key terms agreement was signed for the development of Neighborhoods 6C and 6D in Sultan Haitham City, with an investment exceeding OMR150 million. Another partnership worth over OMR240 million was signed to develop Neighborhood 6, a key area in the first phase of A'Thuraya City, covering 285,000 square meters and comprising 1,000 residential units. For the High Mountain project, a key terms agreement was signed to develop the health neighborhood in the Western Village, with an investment of OMR200 million across 630,000 square meters, featuring 500 residential and hotel units with a built-up area exceeding 100,000 square meters. A tender worth over OMR6 million was awarded for site preparation and leveling works in Sultan Haitham City (Package 1A), marking a pivotal step in establishing the city's infrastructure and enhancing connectivity between its neighborhoods and vital facilities. A partnership agreement worth OMR45 million will be signed to develop the first 4-star hotel façade in Sultan Haitham City at Januaries Residences, featuring 170 hotel rooms, 123 hotel apartments, and 96 residential apartments. A usufruct agreement was also signed to establish a precast concrete elements factory in Barka's Halban, with an initial investment of OMR2 million. Tenders worth a total of OMR13 million were awarded for A'Thuraya City, including site preparation works exceeding OMR7 million and engineering consultancy for construction supervision worth over RO 6 million. On the sidelines of the conference, 23 cooperation agreements will be signed to implement infrastructure for the integrated residential neighborhood projects "Sorouh," covering water and sewage networks, electricity distribution, and internet infrastructure across eight projects. Eight new investment opportunities will also be unveiled during the event for developing integrated residential neighborhoods under "Sorouh," spanning South Al Batinah, South A'Sharqiyah, Dhofar, Muscat, and A'Dakhiliyah governorates. These opportunities present a promising gateway for investors looking to contribute to the real estate sector's growth, diversifying housing projects and supporting sustainable economic development. As part of efforts to optimize government land use, 43 usufruct contracts worth over RO 7.3 million will be signed across various sectors, including 11 contracts for food security covering over 881 acres, 11 contracts for SMEs in the industrial sector spanning over 5,600 square meters, and a contract for a specialized sports academy exceeding 26,000 square meters, reflecting diversified investments in key economic and social development sectors. The six-day conference, exhibition, and Design & Construction Week—organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in collaboration with the Oman Real Estate Association and Connect Company—serves as a strategic platform to showcase real estate projects, highlight investment opportunities, and foster public-private partnerships amid national efforts to enhance the business environment and sustainable urban growth. The accompanying exhibition offers an interactive experience, allowing attendees to explore housing options firsthand, including live residential unit models from Sultan Haitham City, while bringing developers together under one roof. The Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition features over 40 speakers across 10 interactive sessions covering urban development, real estate investment, sustainability, and smart urban planning. Discussions will include specialized working papers highlighting Oman's real estate development experience, promising investment opportunities, incentives, and growth drivers, alongside global insights on enhancing market resilience amid economic fluctuations. An investment forum will also be held, gathering elite local and international investors to showcase future city projects and explore real estate opportunities in Oman, aiming to strengthen private-sector partnerships and attract quality investments in urban development.
