Al Hafa Waterfront set to be iconic destination

A luxurious resort and expansive Heritage Village are among substantive residential, commercial and retail components envisioned as part of a sumptuous waterfront development planned along the Al Hafa shoreline in Salalah. The mixed-use development, formally titled the ‘Al Hafa Waterfront’, will transform a quiet but picturesque seafront stretch in the old part of Salalah, into an iconic destination and thus a magnet for tourism and commercial investment. Together with strong investment inflows elsewhere around Salalah and Dhofar Governorate, notably into hotels, resorts, shopping malls, water parks and related leisure facilities, the Al Hafa Waterfront development promises to further drive Salalah’s growing appeal as a regional tourism destination. According to experts roped in to assist in the conceptualisation and planning of this splendid scheme, the Al Hafa Development will run the length of the 4.5km central Al Hafa shoreline overlooking the Indian Ocean. A master-plan drawn up under the auspices of the Office of the Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar envisages the resettlement of local residents and the transformation of the entire waterfront stretch into a tourist-oriented beachfront. Earmarked for the Al Hafa Waterfront project is a beachfront swathe covering a total area of around 70 hectares. It will house, among other components, a 470-key hotel, and dedicated areas for residential, office, and retail investment. The centrepiece is a 120,000 sq metre Heritage Village that will showcase the rich maritime and cultural heritage of Salalah. It will be designed to capture local architectural and building construction elements, as well as offer insights into Dhofar’s craftsmanship and cultural traditions. In effect, the Heritage Village will serve as a hub for social gatherings and community events. In master planning the waterfront project, planners have also sought to incorporate Al Hafa’s verdant farmlands into the final design. Gardens, parks, recreation areas and a promenade will add to the waterfront’s distinctive appeal, as well as serve to attract families, leisure visitors and the general public. The project is in the early stages of implementation. Conrad Prabhu