Muscat: Al Jabal Al Akhdar is entering a new phase of developing its tourism presence following its selection as the Capital of Gulf Tourism for the year 2027. This is based on the growth of tourism movement and the diversity of its natural, agricultural, cultural, and heritage assets, in parallel with developmental and service projects as well as tourism investments that prepare the wilayat to capitalize on this entitlement to expand economic activity and enhance the participation of the private sector, small and medium enterprises, and the local community.
According to Oman News Agency, data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicated that Al Jabal Al Akhdar attracted approximately 101,608 visitors during the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, hotel establishment revenues reached about RO 7.8 million by the end of July of the same year, the number of guests reached 44,365, and the occupancy rate recorded 32.1 percent.
Sheikh Mahmood Rashid Al Saadi, Wali of Nizwa, Acting Governor of A'Dakhiliyah, affirmed that selecting the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar as the Capital of Gulf Tourism for 2027 represents an opportunity to enhance the wilayat's position on the Gulf tourism map. He noted that it builds upon its natural, agricultural, cultural, and heritage assets to develop a more diversified tourism sector linked to the paths of economic and investment development in the A'Dakhiliyah Governorate.
He stated that the governorate views 2027 as a trajectory for working to raise the readiness of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, develop tourism experiences and products, and benefit from the wilayat's unique character in offering year-round experiences. This creates opportunities to increase visitor length of stay and tourism expenditure and expands the participation of small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, craftspeople, and farmers in tourism-related economic activity.
He added that reaping the benefits of this selection is tied to integrating roles among government entities, the private sector, and the local community, as well as continuing to develop services, infrastructure, events, and tourism experiences, while enhancing the promotion of Al Jabal Al Akhdar and preserving its natural and cultural identity and uniqueness.
Al Jabal Al Akhdar possesses a diverse array of tourism elements, including its mountainous nature, moderate climate, agricultural diversity, heritage villages, aflaj (traditional irrigation systems), historical sites, mountain trails, and cultural and social heritage. This provides areas for the development of natural, rural, agricultural, and environmental tourism, as well as adventure tourism.
On his part, Issa Saleh Al Subihi, Director of the SMEs Development Authority 'Riyada' Department in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, pointed out the presence of 246 small and medium enterprises in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, alongside 11 craftspeople and 44 craft registers. This provides a local base that can benefit from the growth of tourism activity in the fields of accommodation, hospitality, restaurants, cafes, transport, and tourism activities and experiences, in addition to marketing agricultural and craft products and organizing tourism events and programs.
He added that agricultural activity constitutes a main component of the economic and tourism identity of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, with diverse agricultural products and projects including pomegranates, olives, saffron, roses, aromatic plants, commercial fruits, and integrated agriculture. Meanwhile, the number of investment agricultural projects stands at 14, covering an estimated total area of 166 acres with an investment value of RO 3.5 million.
The wilayat is witnessing the implementation of a package of developmental and service projects with a value exceeding RO 5.7 million. These include developing the road network, upgrading public facilities, and enhancing health and administrative services, alongside tourism and investment projects linked to the urban and tourism growth of the wilayat.
Ongoing works include consultancy services for the design of the dualization of the road and the development of the entrance to the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar over a length of 5 kilometers, which has reached a 90 percent completion rate. They also include consultancy services for preparing a layout for an investment park in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, with a 50 percent completion rate. Additionally, the wilayat witnessed the rehabilitation of the dirt road leading to the villages of Maabat, Al Zakt, Hail Al Tina, Hail Al Ashishat, and Qayut. The completion rate of the Marwah road maintenance project reached 40 percent, alongside the project to implement internal roads in the wilayat within the second phase, which has reached the contracting stage for a length of 3.7 kilometers.
Investment projects in the wilayat include the Al Jabal Al Ali project, with an estimated investment value of up to RO 1.2 billion. It is being established on an area of 11.8 square kilometers at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters above sea level. It aims to create an integrated community capable of accommodating about 10,000 residents, providing more than 2,500 residential units and 2,000 hotel rooms, in addition to tourism, entertainment, cultural, and sports facilities.
The wilayat witnessed the receipt of a number of developmental projects, including the Al Jabal Al Akhdar Public Park, established on an area of 20,000 square meters. It includes recreational and service facilities, open spaces, and afforestation works, in addition to receiving the project for the implementation of internal roads spanning 7 kilometers, to support connectivity between villages and residential communities and keep pace with urban expansion in the wilayat.
Ahmed Hamad Al Nabhani, Municipal Council Member representing the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, said that the wilayat's selection opens wider horizons for small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, craftspeople, and farmers to benefit from tourism activity by developing services and products, expanding areas of investment and partnerships, and marketing agricultural, craft, and local products.
Walid Saif Al Zakwani, Municipal Council Member representing the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, emphasized that benefiting from the selection of Al Jabal Al Akhdar as the Capital of Gulf Tourism requires the active participation of the local community. This is in addition to preserving tourism sites, trees, aflaj, terraces, and local heritage, as well as warmly receiving visitors and offering an experience tied to the authenticity of Omani society and the unique nature of the location.
Preparations for the year 2027 are geared toward raising the readiness of the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, developing the tourism product, and capitalizing on the economic opportunities associated with tourism movement. This is within the integration of roles among government entities, the private sector, and the local community, while preserving the natural, agricultural, cultural, and heritage assets that form the identity of Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
