Salalah’s Coastal Transformation: Oman’s New Sustainable Tourism Hub Set to Redefine Travel by 2030

Published on March 6, 2025

Oman’s southern coastal city of Salalah had been set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of a sustainable waterfront development, designed to enhance tourism, urban living, and environmental preservation. This ambitious project, aligned with Oman Vision 2040, had been aimed at positioning Salalah as a model for sustainable urbanism, making it an attractive destination for international travelers seeking both leisure and cultural experiences.

The New City Salalah project, which had been conceptualized by Sasaki, a renowned international design firm, had been expected to integrate urban growth with environmental conservation, ensuring that the city’s rich natural beauty and cultural heritage remained intact. With an expansive area of 7.3 square kilometers, the project had been planned to accommodate 60,000 residents within 12,000 residential units, while also offering world-class tourism and leisure facilities.

Tourism officials had noted that the development’s pedestrian-friendly design, combined with new hospitality and retail spaces, had been expected to make Salalah a year-round destination, catering to both domestic and international visitors.

What the Development Means for Tourists Visiting Salalah

The New City Salalah project had been designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of tourists, from those seeking luxury coastal retreats to adventure travelers exploring Oman’s natural landscapes. A key highlight of the development had been the introduction of a six-kilometer-long public beach, reinforcing Salalah’s growing reputation as a leisure destination.

With its mild climate during the khareef (monsoon) season, Salalah had already been recognized as a popular getaway for Gulf travelers escaping the summer heat. The addition of smart tourism infrastructure, enhanced public spaces, and sustainable transport networks had been expected to further solidify its status as a must-visit destination in the Arabian Peninsula.

Some of the most anticipated features for tourists had included:

• New hospitality and retail hubs – With 200,000 square meters of retail and entertainment space, the city had been set to offer upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
• Parks and open spaces – Spread across 3.5 million square meters, these green areas had been planned to provide tourists with immersive nature experiences, such as walking trails, waterfront promenades, and cultural parks.
• A pedestrian-friendly layout – Designed to reduce car dependency, the development had been expected to encourage walking and cycling, making it a more enjoyable and accessible destination for visitors.

These enhancements had been projected to increase the attractiveness of Salalah for international tourists, particularly European, Asian, and Gulf travelers looking for sustainable tourism experiences.

Sustainability and Its Role in Tourism Growth

Tourism specialists had observed that the sustainability focus of the New City Salalah project had been one of its key selling points, as modern travelers had been increasingly seeking eco-conscious destinations.

Authorities had confirmed that the development had integrated climate resilience measures, specifically addressing rising sea levels and extreme weather events during the khareef season. To protect Salalah’s coastal ecosystem, the project had included:

• A wetland park, designed to absorb excess rainfall and mitigate flooding risks.
• Natural infrastructure strategies, ensuring that urban expansion had not compromised Salalah’s fragile coastal landscapes.
• Low-impact tourism development, focusing on eco-friendly accommodations and conservation-based tourism activities.

These initiatives had been expected to attract environmentally conscious travelers, who had been prioritizing destinations that aligned with global sustainability standards.

How This Development Aligns with Oman’s Tourism Vision

Oman had long been positioning itself as a premium travel destination, with a focus on heritage, luxury, and nature-based tourism. The New City Salalah project had been recognized as part of a larger initiative under Oman Vision 2040, which had aimed to diversify the national economy by expanding the tourism sector.

Dr. Khalfan bin Said al Shueili, Oman’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, had emphasized that the development had been a crucial element in the country’s long-term economic strategy, blending urban innovation with tourism expansion. He had noted that this initiative had been a prime example of how Oman had been leveraging its natural and cultural assets to attract both investors and international tourists.

The phased development approach, set to begin later in 2025, had included the initial construction of 5,827 residential units, with additional infrastructure rolling out in subsequent years. Tourism officials had expected that the introduction of new accommodations, public amenities, and eco-tourism attractions would lead to higher visitor numbers in Salalah, creating more job opportunities in the hospitality sector.

A Global Perspective on Sustainable Tourism

Salalah’s urban expansion had not been an isolated case, as many global tourism destinations had been shifting toward sustainable development models to combat the negative effects of mass tourism.

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi had already introduced smart city initiatives, promoting pedestrian-friendly tourism and eco-conscious urban expansion.
• European cities such as Amsterdam and Barcelona had implemented visitor flow management systems, ensuring sustainable tourism growth while protecting local infrastructure.
• Southeast Asian destinations such as Bali and Thailand had been exploring new tourism regulations to control overdevelopment and overcrowding.

By adopting a forward-thinking approach, Oman had been ensuring that Salalah’s transformation remained in line with global best practices, making it an example for other destinations looking to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation.

What Tourists Can Expect in the Coming Years

As the New City Salalah project moved forward, travel experts had advised that visitors could expect significant changes to the city’s tourism landscape over the next five to ten years.

• A more structured visitor experience, with dedicated spaces for beachfront activities, cultural exploration, and shopping.
• A shift toward high-end, eco-friendly tourism, making Salalah a prime destination for luxury travelers and nature enthusiasts.
• Improved transportation links, ensuring that tourists could navigate the city efficiently while enjoying a seamless and connected travel experience.

With works scheduled to begin in 2025, industry analysts had projected that Salalah would become one of the region’s most attractive coastal destinations by 2030, offering a world-class tourism experience while maintaining its natural charm.

Oman’s New City Salalah development had been set to redefine the region’s tourism landscape, blending sustainable urban expansion with high-end travel experiences. The introduction of eco-friendly hospitality spaces, pedestrian-friendly urban planning, and enhanced leisure offerings had been expected to attract a diverse range of travelers, from cultural explorers to luxury vacationers.

As Oman continued to implement its Vision 2040 tourism strategy, Salalah had been anticipated to become a flagship destination for sustainable and responsible tourism, drawing inspiration from global best practices while retaining its rich heritage and environmental assets.

For travelers, this transformation had promised a more immersive, structured, and environmentally conscious visit to Oman, making Salalah a must-visit destination in the coming years.