Oman's Future Cities: What the 2026 Real Estate Show Means for Buyers

The 21st Oman Real Estate, Design & Build Exhibition and Conference 2026 opened at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat with a series of strategic agreements and project announcements tied directly to Oman's long-term urban development agenda — and if you're tracking where to buy next, these signals matter.

Why This Exhibition Is More Than a Trade Show

Oman's annual real estate exhibition has evolved well beyond a showcase of floor plans and scale models. In its 21st edition, the event served as a formal platform for signing binding agreements between government bodies, master developers, and international partners. Deals announced at this level typically unlock planning permissions, infrastructure funding, and — critically for foreign buyers — ITC (Integrated Tourism Complex) designations that grant full freehold ownership rights.

The backdrop is deliberate: Oman Vision 2040 and the Sorouh real estate initiative both set hard targets for diversifying the economy through tourism and residential development. Announcements at a government-convened exhibition carry policy weight that a private developer press release simply doesn't.

The "Future Cities" Concept — What It Actually Means

The phrase "future cities" in Oman's planning context refers to master-planned urban zones designed from scratch with integrated infrastructure: roads, utilities, schools, retail, and green space built in before the first resident moves in. Think less "smart city tech demo" and more "fully serviced community with long-term planning certainty."

For buyers, this distinction matters enormously. Purchasing in a future-city zone means:

• Infrastructure is committed, not promised. Roads and utilities are part of the master plan budget, not left to municipal timelines.
• Mixed-use zoning is locked in. You're not buying a villa that may end up next to a warehouse.
• Resale liquidity tends to be higher because the address carries institutional backing.

Yiti, Muscat is the clearest live example of this model. The zone already hosts The Sustainable City – Yiti, developed by Diamond Developers, which is building a net-zero community roughly 20 km southeast of central Muscat. The Plaza at The Sustainable City – Yiti adds a retail and community hub to that master plan. Both sit within an ITC, meaning non-Omani buyers can hold full freehold title.

ITC Status: The Legal Foundation for Foreign Ownership

Every "future city" project worth your attention will carry ITC status — this is non-negotiable for foreign buyers. Under Omani law, foreigners can only own property outright inside designated ITCs. Outside those zones, you're looking at long-term usufruct (up to 50 years, renewable) rather than freehold.

The good news: the government has been expanding ITC designations as part of Vision 2040. Agreements signed at exhibitions like this one often include formal ITC approvals or extensions, which is why tracking these events is useful intelligence for buyers, not just developers.

At AIDA, Muscat — the clifftop ITC development on Muscat's eastern coastline — the Marriott Residences AIDA project illustrates how branded residences within future-city zones command a premium. Units here are priced accordingly, but the ITC freehold title and the Marriott management covenant are part of what you're paying for.

Off-Plan Purchases: Escrow Protects You

Several of the projects linked to the 2026 exhibition announcements are off-plan — meaning you're buying before construction completes. In Oman, the law requires developers to hold buyer payments in a government-regulated escrow account, releasing funds to the developer only as verified construction milestones are reached. This is a meaningful protection; your deposit cannot be used to fund a different project or cover the developer's operating costs.

Before signing any off-plan reservation agreement, confirm the escrow account details and the name of the licensed escrow agent. Reputable developers will provide this without hesitation.

The Tax Picture for Buyers

Oman remains one of the most tax-efficient property markets in the region:

• 0% personal income tax — rental income from your property is not taxed at the personal level for individuals.
• 0% capital gains tax — if you sell at a profit, you keep it.

Oman does not levy a withholding tax on residential rental income. A 3% municipal tax applies to property rents, a 3% transfer fee is payable to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning on purchase, and Oman's 5% personal income tax takes effect on 1 January 2028 — confirm your own position with an Omani tax adviser before you buy.

• No annual property ownership tax — there is no recurring council-tax equivalent.

This structure makes Oman particularly attractive for GCC and Indian buyers seeking yield without the drag of annual holding costs.

Salalah: The Other Future-City Axis

While Muscat dominates the headline announcements, Hawana Salalah in Dhofar Governorate represents Oman's second major ITC corridor. Muriya, the developer behind Hawana Salalah, has continued expanding the master plan, with Riviera at Hawana Salalah and Amazi at Hawana Salalah offering beachfront units in a fully operational resort community. Salalah's khareef (monsoon) season draws domestic and GCC tourists every summer, underpinning short-term rental demand for owners.

What to Watch After the Exhibition

Strategic agreements signed at an exhibition become actionable for buyers when three things happen:

1. 01The project receives a Royal Decree or ministerial approval confirming ITC status and land allocation.
2. 02The developer registers the escrow account with the Capital Market Authority (CMA) or the relevant authority.
3. 03Sales launch with published price lists — in Oman, reputable developers typically price in OMR, and you should be wary of projects quoting only in USD or EUR, which can obscure true local pricing.

Track announcements from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Omran Group (Oman's government tourism development company) as the authoritative sources following this exhibition.

The 2026 edition of the Oman Real Estate, Design & Build Exhibition signals that the pipeline of master-planned, ITC-designated communities is growing — and for buyers willing to research early, the best entry prices are typically available before construction milestones push valuations higher.

Source: Times of Oman