Making a splash – Salalah’s first Aqua Park comes to town

But this is just phase one of Hawana’s planned tourist destination. Construction began on the water park in March 2017, and was completed at the end of December, at a cost of OMR5 million. Salalah’s new aquatic adventure will span 65,600 sq.km when completed, and is set to be one of the biggest endeavours by Muriya, a joint company formed by the fusion of Egyptian tourism development company Orascom and Omran, the Sultanate’s leisure investment arm.

Hawana is, of course, part of the Sultanate of Oman’s Tanfeedh plans for economic diversification, the nation’s ambitious intentions to gradually wean itself off of fossil fuels and expand its economy to include other sources of revenue.

Before the opening of the park, I was able to catch up with Hani Salama, Hawana’s manager.

“We originally had three prices for our guests,” said Hani Salama, Hawana’s manager. “Those who are more than 110 centimetres tall will need to pay OMR10 to enter, while those who are under that height level can enter for OMR5. Guests who want to come to Hawana but not swim also need to pay OMR 5, and children under the age of three can enter for free.

“After we had a trial opening and did some market research, we found that there were many families asking us for a special rate, so we decided to introduce a special package or OMR20 for two adults and two children,” he added, “Because we expect many families to come here, we also set up the cabana a little bit far away from the rest of the aqua park so that we can give them some privacy.”

Alongside agriculture, manufacturing, port services and logistics, tourism has been earmarked as one of the prime areas for expansion and diversification in Oman, and Salalah represents a previously hitherto untapped market with tremendous potential.
 

Hawana Salalah is Oman’s newest aqua park, and ensures there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.


Potential that is already slowly being realised: Hawana is just one of four tourism development properties that have come up in the same area. Three resorts, currently fully booked, have also been set up next to the aqua park, each catering to a different clientele, and are chock full with world-class amenities, including restaurants, spas, water sports, shops, gyms and even regular trips to town.

While Al Fanar caters mostly to families, Rotana Salalah has made its name as a business hotel. If you’re looking for something that is quite literally between the two though, the luxurious boutique apartments of Juweira are what you’re looking for.

“This plan was part of our commitment to not just improve the tourism offerings that Oman has, not just to increase the number of international tourists, but to also provide more facilities for local tourists within Oman,” added Peter Walichnowski, CEO for Omran. “Hawana is part of that plan, because this is an attraction that will be liked not just by foreign tourists, but also by those in the Sultanate, and the locals in the Dhofar region, and that’s why this is one that will be appreciated by everybody.”

At Hawana Salalah, you will experiencing the kind of pure, unadulterated fun that you just can’t put into words. One that has to be experienced to be felt. The feeling that truly does make Oman the Essence of Arabia.

Where to stay while at Hawana Salalah

Hawana Salalah is part of the new Marina Town tourism zone being built near the town of Taqa, by Salalah’s beachfront.

It is home to three hotels, each catering to a different clientele.

Al Fanar Hotels and Residences caters primarily to families with young children. It features family-friendly facilities, including swimming pools by the beach, complete with sun loungers, a spa, a gym, water sports, and many other activities for families to enjoy.

Rotana Resort Salalah was among the first in the region to open its doors to visitors to the Sultanate, and is part of the famed brand’s ethos of hospitality and top-quality service. Primarily known as a hotel frequented by solo travellers and couples, but is one that families will also thoroughly enjoy.

Juweirah is best known for its boutique hotel apartments, and is meant for those searching for refined luxury and privacy. Their well-appointed rooms overlook Salalah’s stunning lagoons, unless of course you’d prefer taking in the greenery that dominates the landscape once the Khareef season sets in.