Space tourists can watch five rocket...

The MENA region's first spaceport in Duqm will include a dedicated spectator zone

Space tourism is coming to the Middle East with Oman opening a fan zone for rocket launches at the first spaceport in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The spaceport, Etlaq, is aiming for five rocket launches in 2025 and tickets to watch the spectacles will be available free of charge for the general public.

“I’m happy to introduce one of the best experiences at the launch event – the fan zone. Most of you have been dreaming of watching the moment of launch and that’s why we’ve created this opportunity,” said Zainab Alsalhi, Business Development Manager for Etlaq.

The spaceport is located in Duqm on the southeast coast of Oman, around 300 miles south of the capital Muscat, and the same distance from Salalah. There are direct flights from Muscat to Duqm six days a week with SalamAir, Oman’s budget airline.

The first rocket launch, UNITY-1, is expected in April 2025, followed by the launch of the Duqm-2 rocket in June 2025. Further launches for 2025 are planned in October, November and December.

Eventually the spaceport hopes to have as many as 30 launches per year and is expected to be fully operational by 2027.

Launch dates are notoriously unpredictable due to weather conditions and technical issues but organisers have said that entry tickets to the fan zone would be valid for the entire launch window.

With travellers increasingly looking for new experiences, and with no other location in the region currently offering rocket launches, there could be a surge in demand for travel to Duqm coinciding with the events.

With mild weather year-round, access to the Indian Ocean and unspoiled beaches and fishing villages, Duqm is an appealing destination.

Duqm’s tourist attractions include the Rock Garden in the heart of the wilayat and the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, less than a two-hour drive away.

Duqm has some 15 hotels and counting, including the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel and Residence and Crowne Plaza, both located on Duqm beach, with other recent openings including Duqm Plaza Hotel, Royal Plaza Hotel Duqm and Al Madina Express Duqm.

As part of Oman’s National Tourism Strategy 2040, Duqm – Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) is investing in new hotels, resorts, restaurants and waterparks.

For more information, visit www.etlaq.om

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