Oman: The up-and-coming sports tourism destination

• Hawana Salalah hosts final stage of the EFG Sailing Arabia The Tour from 14-16 of February

• Jebel Sifah hosts stage four of the Tour of Oman on 19 February

Top-class sportspeople from the world of sailing and cycling are converging on Oman in general and Muriya’s Hawana Salalah and Jebel Sifah destinations to take part in two of the most prestigious events on the global sporting calendar.

Competitors from both EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour and the Tour of Oman are attracting sports fans from around the world. Hawana Salalah and Jebel Sifah are prime tourist hotspots featuring 1,150 rooms, marinas, a wealth of restaurants and stylish boutiques. These year-round destinations are also low-density developments offering residents and visitors alike a healthy and active lifestyle.

Ahmed Dabbous, Chief Executive Officer at Muriya said, “We welcome all the athletes and sports fans to these two major global sporting spectacles. Jebel Sifah is earning a reputation for hosting some of the region’s most prestigious sporting tournaments such as the Spartan Race, while Hawana Salalah continues to generate interest from local, regional and international tourists arriving to the Governorate of Dhofar. Hosting such acclaimed events shows our commitment to Oman’s economic growth in sectors ranging from hospitality to real estate and sports tourism. We are working hand in hand with the government to promote these activities.”

Over the course of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour, which kicked off on 2 February, ten international teams are soaking in the stunning sights of Oman, while sailing along its shoreline.

The sailors’ skills are being tested to the limit as they take to the waters, navigating the Sultanate’s rugged coastline.

Crew members are visiting some of the country’s coastal gems including Duqm, Salalah and Bandar Khayran, while experiencing the authentic local culture and hospitality. Hawana Marina is hosting the final stage of the race between 14 and 16 February, with its world-class facilities and boating amenities it is the ideal platform to hold such an event.

Hot on the heels of The Tour, and for the third consecutive year, Jebel Sifah is hosting Stage 4 of the Tour of Oman, the annual professional road bicycle racing stage race held in Oman since 2010 as part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) Asia Tour. On 19 February, riders will face the daunting 131- kilometre route.

The race will kick off from the Sifawy Boutique Hotel, and the destination is opening its doors to Muscat residents to join the spectators, the world over, in cheering on the competitors starting at 8am.

Located in the ancient Governorate of Dhofar and stretching over seven kilometres of white Indian Ocean coastline, Hawana Salalah is Oman’s largest tourism destination. Home to luxurious rooms, unique dining, and a multinational community, the destination epitomises exceptional every day, making it the perfect getaway to set sail on daily new adventures, and immerse oneself in the serenity of nature. The largest and most diversified Integrated Tourism Complex in Oman, the destinations uniqueness stems from combining its modern architecture with traditional Arabic elements to create an exceptional contemporary style.