Market research & Development
Oman’s tourism scene is heating up, and it’s not just about pretty beaches or ancient forts—it’s a calculated shift that’s pumping life into the property market and catching the eye of investors worldwide. In 2025, the Sultanate welcomed 668,205 visitors by February’s end, per the National Centre for Statistics and Information. That’s not a fluke, it’s momentum. At Crown Continental, we don’t chase hype. We spot opportunity. Oman’s rise proves one thing: there’s power in property done right. Here’s how it’s unfolding.
Oman's Tourism Engine Kicks In
Oman’s not here to mimic Dubai’s glitz, and that’s why it’s winning. The Vision 2040 blueprint is clear: shift from oil and bank on tourism, aiming for 5% of GDP by 2030 and 10% by 2040. The draw? Untamed mountains, pristine shores, and a culture that’s stood the test of time. Muscat’s ancient souqs and Salalah’s misty Khareef season aren’t staged—they’re real.
The numbers tell the story. In 2023, arrivals spiked 14% from January to July, earning Oman a spot among the UNWTO’s top 20 growth leaders. Fast forward to 2024: visitor numbers eased to 3.9 million, but revenue at three- to five-star hotels rose 6% to OMR 243.4 million ($633 million), per the Oman Tourism Development Company. Airport traffic jumped 12% in the first half of 2024. This isn’t luck—it’s strategy, and it’s pulling property along for the ride.
The effects on the property market
Oman’s real estate is feeling the heat—in a good way. Transactions in 2024 hit 3.3 billion Omani rials ($8.57 billion), a 29.5% leap from the prior year. Mortgage deals alone topped 2.2 billion rials, showing buyers mean business. The sector chipped in 820.7 million rials to GDP in the first nine months. Tourism’s the spark; property’s the payoff.
What’s behind it? The government’s opened the door wide, letting expats and foreigners buy in Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) like Al Mouj Muscat or Muscat Bay. No property taxes, full ownership, and rental yields that turn heads. Upgraded airports in Muscat and Salalah make it easy to get in. Muscat’s luxury waterfronts are buzzing—Hamptons Oman saw a flood of inquiries in 2024—while Salalah’s Khareef season, with over 1 million visitors, is driving demand beyond the capital.
The trajectory’s solid. Mordor Intelligence forecasts residential real estate growing from $4.78 billion in 2025 to $7.42 billion by 2030—a 9.19% annual clip. ITC condos are tracking 7% growth through 2029. This isn’t a bubble; it’s a market built for returns.
Global Investors Take Notice
Oman’s not just a regional story—it’s going global. The UK pumped OMR 2.85 billion ($7.4 billion) into the Sultanate in 2023, over half its foreign direct investment, with real estate now joining oil as a focus. Expats own more than 25% of ITC properties, and the UAE’s piling in too. Why? Oman’s stable, strategically parked by the Arabian Sea, and diversifying smartly. Oil’s shaky; tourism and property aren’t.
Projects like AIDA by Dar Global—a $2.4 billion mixed-use powerhouse—or Al Mouj’s golf-and-villa blend are pulling in buyers from Europe to the Gulf. At Crown Continental, we don’t wait for the crowd. Our network delivers first access to deals like these, connecting ambition to opportunity with surgical precision.
Tourism’s Ripple Effect on Property
Tourists don’t just snap photos—they shift markets. In Oman, expats—up 33% in areas like Duqm from 2022 to 2023—are driving rental demand, with nearly 40% eyeing purchases within three years. Salalah’s Khareef season floods the area with over a million visitors, pushing hotels to the brim and sending renters to private homes. Muscat’s luxury scene thrives year-round, fueled by foreign buyers and a growing expat base.
The government’s MICE push—meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions—adds fuel, targeting a slice of the $600 billion Middle East sports tourism market. More events mean more visitors, and more visitors mean more homes, temporary or permanent. It’s a dual play: rentals today, ownership tomorrow. Prices are climbing because of it.
The Real Risks
Let’s not kid ourselves—Oman’s not flawless. Tourism growth lags the UAE’s 9% visitor jump in 2024 or Saudi’s mega-project flex. Hitting 11 million visitors by 2040 sounds ambitious when 2024 tallied 3.9 million. Property’s got headwinds too: oil price dips could stall diversification, inflation might pinch budgets, and regulatory snags or global trade tension—like U.S. tariffs—could slow the roll. Smart investors don’t dodge risks; they master them. We structure deals to weather the storm.
Why Oman’s Your Move
Oman’s not a wild bet—it’s a sharp one. Emerging markets like this typically see 3-7% yearly property gains, but ITCs and luxury could outpace that. A 2-bedroom Muscat pad at 85,000 OMR today might hit 90,950 OMR by 2026. That’s not hope—that’s math.
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