OMRAN Group and VA Group are developing an integrated tourism complex featuring 25,000 square metres of commercial space and 30,000 square metres of landscaped areas, as part of a broader transformation of the historic port into a destination for residents and visitors.
Muscat – Sultanate of Oman – Al Rehla
The waterfront of Sultan Qaboos Port in Muttrah is set to gain new tourism and leisure attractions through the Al Yazan development, officially unveiled on 8 November 2026 as a partnership between OMRAN Group and VA Group. The project aims to strengthen Muttrah’s appeal as a destination that combines cultural heritage with contemporary urban experiences.
Spanning 18.5 hectares, Al Yazan is planned as an integrated tourism complex featuring residential and commercial developments alongside public spaces accessible to visitors. It will introduce new facilities to Muttrah’s waterfront, an area renowned for its traditional markets, mountainous landscape and coastal setting.
The development forms part of a wider initiative to transform Sultan Qaboos Port into a destination combining hospitality, culture, shopping and entertainment.
A Seafront Promenade Stretching More Than 400 Metres
Al Yazan will feature a waterfront promenade extending more than 400 metres, alongside a pedestrian-oriented street lined with retail outlets, restaurants and cafés. Approximately 25,000 square metres have been allocated to commercial activities, providing space for shopping, dining and services catering to residents and visitors.
The development will also include a crescent-shaped public plaza with an open-air amphitheatre, multipurpose sports facilities and dedicated children's play areas. These elements reflect a development approach that places public spaces and the visitor experience alongside the project's residential components.
30,000 Square Metres of Green Spaces
The master plan allocates approximately 30,000 square metres to landscaped green areas, including an internal garden covering around 20,000 square metres, according to details released by the developer.
The architectural design takes advantage of Muttrah's distinctive geography, with buildings descending in tiers from the surrounding mountains towards the waterfront while incorporating elements inspired by the area's traditional architecture. Preserving the destination's historic identity is a central consideration, given Muttrah's longstanding maritime trading heritage, traditional souqs and distinctive urban character.
Part of a Wider Plan to Revitalise the Historic Port
Al Yazan represents one component of the broader Sultan Qaboos Port waterfront redevelopment rather than the entire project. In October 2026, Oman's Ministry of Heritage and Tourism signed an integrated tourism complex licensing agreement with OMRAN Group for the development of the port's waterfront, covering a wider area of approximately one million square metres.
The broader master plan includes hospitality, retail, entertainment and cultural facilities, together with accommodation, waterfront promenades and public spaces. Its vision encompasses several distinct districts, including the Port Souq, Port Gateway, Al Shatfi and Al Shatfi Hills, with proposals for hotels, leisure attractions and a mountain resort.
These components are separate from Al Yazan itself, and their inclusion in the master plan does not mean that construction or operations have already been completed.
How Could the Tourism Sector Benefit?
The waterfront redevelopment could expand the range of experiences available to visitors in Muttrah.
Rather than limiting their activities to traditional souqs and the Corniche, visitors could eventually enjoy additional dining, entertainment, cultural events and pedestrian-friendly public spaces.
If successfully developed and operated, these facilities could create business opportunities for restaurants, cafés, retailers and tourism service providers, while benefiting from the area's existing visitor traffic.
However, no specific projections have been announced for additional visitor numbers, tourism spending or employment generated by Al Yazan's components. The project's tourism benefits will also depend on accessibility, the quality of its facilities and their integration with the surrounding historic neighbourhoods and attractions.
OMRAN: Developing Tourism Destinations Through Private-Sector Partnerships
OMRAN Group views Al Yazan as part of a broader programme to diversify tourism experiences along the Sultan Qaboos Port waterfront.
The development model combines private investment with public amenities, drawing on the area's historic character, natural setting and established appeal. VA Group is participating in Al Yazan as the first project in its longer-term investment ambitions in the Sultanate of Oman.
Al Rehla Insight | Can Muttrah Become a Destination Where Visitors Spend More Time?
Muttrah already possesses significant tourism assets, including its historic souq, Corniche, port and surrounding mountain scenery. The challenge for new developments is therefore not to create a destination from scratch, but to introduce complementary experiences and facilities that enhance the existing destination without undermining its identity.
From this perspective, Al Yazan's tourism significance lies primarily in its proposed public spaces, pedestrian routes, restaurants and visitor attractions, rather than its residential units alone. The project's success will depend on balancing private developments with publicly accessible areas, connecting new facilities to Muttrah's historic neighbourhoods and maintaining convenient access to the waterfront.
Assessing its tourism impact in the coming years will require measurable data on visitor numbers, public-space usage, spending at commercial establishments and the frequency of events and activities throughout the year.
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