Muscat Municipality has awarded the contract and begun work on the Hawiyat Najm Glamping Project in Wilayat Qurayyat, Oman, marking progress on a development that will combine public recreation facilities, camping and caravan accommodations, and luxury glamping options. Oman Observer and Times of Oman both reported the contract award on October 30, 2025.
The project covers approximately 500,000 square meters and is designed around three main zones: a public park surrounding the Hawiyat Najm sinkhole, a designated camping and caravan area, and a luxury glamping zone featuring tents and caravans. Some of the planned accommodations will offer views of the Sea of Oman.
The development will include several visitor attractions and recreational facilities, including a panoramic bridge across the sinkhole, a lift, a zipline, walking and cycling trails, children’s play areas, food trucks, and a multipurpose theater. The combination of accommodation and public amenities is intended to establish the site as a destination for both overnight visitors and day-trippers.
According to Oman Observer, the project is expected to generate more than 300 jobs and attract over 5,000 visitors per day during peak periods. However, both publications reported that the glamping hub itself will have a daily visitor capacity of 144, according to Omanet. The reports did not clarify how this accommodation-related capacity corresponds with the higher projected visitor numbers, which may include people using the public park and other recreational facilities.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the development represents an example of how camping and glamping accommodations can be incorporated into a larger tourism and recreation destination. Rather than relying exclusively on overnight stays, the masterplan combines accommodation with attractions and public spaces that could generate visitor activity throughout the day. This approach may provide additional opportunities for food and beverage vendors, recreational services, and other businesses operating within or alongside the development.
The project also includes plans to incorporate solar power and waste recycling, indicating that environmental management will form part of its operations. These provisions will be relevant as the development moves forward, particularly in managing the resource requirements and waste generated by a destination expected to receive thousands of visitors during peak periods.
Muscat Municipality Chairman Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Humaidi said the project would accommodate more visitors, supporting the municipality’s plans to expand recreational and tourism facilities in the area.
Although construction has reportedly started, the October 30, 2025, reports did not specify the exact commencement date, identify the contractor awarded the project, or provide a projected completion date. Further details about the accommodation mix, operating arrangements, pricing, and opening schedule have also not been disclosed.
The project’s progress and eventual opening will provide a clearer indication of how Muscat Municipality intends to manage the relationship between public recreation, overnight accommodation, and tourism services at the Hawiyat Najm site.