Oman backs waterpark investments as part of future tourism strategy

A soon-to-open waterpark development in Oman will be the first of a number of similar attractions as  the Middle Eastern nation aims to boost future investment in its the tourism sector.

Designed by Gold Coast and Malaysia-based Sanderson Group, the OMR40 million (US$103.6 million) Majarat Oman features a waterpark in addition to entertainment and retail facilities, restaurants, a cinema, conference rooms and a selection of rides.

With the Omani Government keen to develop the nation as a tourism destination, it has announced plans for a further three similar parks.

Revealed by Omani Tourism Minister Ahmad Al Meherezi, the newly-announced waterparks are in addition to the already planned Slalah development, which will be completed by 2017.

The move is aimed at inspiring domestic tourism, with the majority of the Omani population currently choosing to visit the nearby United Arab Emirates, with official statistics showing more than a million people visited the UAE from Oman in 2015 alone – more than a fifth of the population.

With faltering oil prices affecting the country’s economy, Minisetr Al Meherzi said that investments in the coming years into tourism will be substantial, with more than OMR1 billionn (US$2.6 billion) being pumped into the sector.

According to the Oman News Agency, by 2020 the country hopes to have more than 20,000 rooms in 3 to 5 star hotels, while in the next quarter of a century it’s aiming to have 50,000 rooms available.

Oman’s National Strategy for Tourism 2040, includes a 6% rise in tourism contributions and a near doubling of visitor numbers to five million annually. 

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