• REAL ESTATE
connectivity, community well-being, and sustainable growth are driving the creation of cutting-edge infrastructure, laying the groundwork for integrated residential, commercial and recreational spaces to thrive,” its analysis adds. Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island shows the cultural version of this model, bringing together Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abrahamic Family House, luxury resorts, beaches, residences and the wider Saadiyat Cultural District. Yas Island is the entertainment-led counterpart, combining hotels, theme parks, events, retail, residential communities and leisure infrastructure. Al Maryah Island adds the business and lifestyle dimension, with financial services, retail, dining, hospitality and premium real estate, while Hudayriyat Island is emerging as a sports, wellness, waterfront and residential destination. Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island follows a resort-led logic, using hospitality, branded residences, entertainment and waterfront development to extend the emirate’s tourism economy. Wynn Al Marjan Island remains the most visible anchor, but the wider story is the creation of a leisure district capable of driving long-stay, second-home and investment demand. GULF MARKETS REFINE THEIR MODELS Qatar is entering a post-World Cup phase where real estate must work harder for tourism. The country has world-class stadia, transport investment, hospitality stock and a global events profile, but the challenge is sustained utilisation. Mixed-use districts, waterfront developments, cultural assets and resort projects are central to turning event-led visibility into repeat visitation and longer stays. Lusail is the most obvious example. Qatar’s largest master-planned city combines residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, sport, entertainment and community infrastructure across 19 districts and four islands. Its masterplan envisages more than 200,000 residents, 170,000 workers and 80,000 visitors to its entertainment, recreation, retail and hospitality facilities. Msheireb Downtown Doha adds a different model: a sustainable urban regeneration district designed around heritage, walkability, retail, offices, residences, hotels and cultural spaces.
The Pearl and West Bay also continue to support Qatar’s premium residential, hospitality and leisure offer. Oman’s growth story is different, and that is its strength. The sultanate’s tourism real estate opportunity is less about density and more about high-value, nature-led development Integrated tourism complexes, coastal resorts, mountain retreats, heritage-led hotels and wellness assets align with Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s positioning around culture, landscape and sustainability. The Sustainable City – Yiti is one of the clearest examples. Developed by OMRAN Group and Diamond Developers, it is positioned
along the Gulf of Oman and described by OMRAN as a benchmark for sustainable mixed-use development, combining low-impact design, smart mobility, energy efficiency and responsible land use. Al Mouj Muscat, Muscat Bay, Madinat Al Irfan and Yiti’s wider masterplan all point to an Omani model focused on lifestyle, nature, waterfront living and longer-term value creation rather than rapid density. Bahrain is also using real estate to widen its tourism proposition. Waterfront regeneration, heritage districts, leisure infrastructure and hospitality investment are central to its ability to compete as a short-break, events and lifestyle destination. Bahrain Bay is a mixed-use waterfront
102 | ATM YEARBOOK 2026
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