Muscat: The Oman Kite Festival 2025 began on Tuesday on the spectacular beaches of Barr Al Hikman in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, with over 90 competitors from Oman and throughout the world. Omran Group coordinates the event in partnership with Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and the Oman Adventure Centre. It seeks to establish Oman as a top sports and adventure tourism destination, showcasing the country's diverse natural landscapes and unspoiled coastal environment. The event is widely recognised as one of the region's premier adventure tourism and water sports festivals, providing both participants and spectators with an engaging experience.
The official inauguration event and race launch took place on the beaches of Barr Al Hikman, with Dr. Hashil bin Obaid Al Mahrouqi, Chief Executive Officer of Omran Group, and Dr. Khamis bin Salem Al Jabri, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Sail, in attendance, as well as festival guests.
On this occasion, Sultan bin Sulaiman Al Khudoori, Assets Manager at Omran Group, emphasized the festival's contribution to enhancing Oman's tourism options. He said: "Organizing these sporting events helps to provide unique experiences for visitors to discover the beauty of Oman's coast while also solidifying Oman's status as a top international tourist destination. " The festival also represents current efforts to leverage the Sultanate's distinctive natural resources in accordance with the goals of the National Tourism Strategy 2040. "
He emphasized the critical contribution of SMEs and home-based firms in supplying creative, sustainable tourism experiences with a strong adventure and eco-focus, which helps attract adventure tourists while increasing local content.
Shaima Said Al Asmi, Events Specialist at Oman Sail, shared this viewpoint, stating that Oman's unique natural scenery and coastal resources can boost growth in the sports and adventure tourism business while emphasizing each governorate's ability to provide varied and localized tourism options.
The event will feature over 90 athletes competing in a series of exciting races, including the multistage "Oman Downwinder" challenge. This signature race consists of four stages: from Barr Al Hikman to Masirah Island, from Masirah Island via Ras Al Ruwais, from the Pink Lagoons to Al Ashkharah, and finally from Ras Al Jinz to Ras Al Hadd.
In addition to the Downwinder, the festival will include a variety of unique kite races, such as the Kite Course Race at Barr Al Hikman, the Coastal Race on Masirah Island, and the Slalom Race in Ras Al Hadd.
The festival will include a variety of family-friendly activities and an exhibition for small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) in the Ashkharah Municipal Park, in addition to the sporting events.
Oman Kite Festival 2025 is officially registered as a Clean Regatta with Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana, a global benchmark for sustainable water-based events. Going beyond the wind, the project has collaborated with the Environment Society of Oman to contribute back to the nation and stress the significance of marine conservation. The Oman Kite Festival 2025 aims to empower Oman's coastal populations to participate in change and care for the environment by conducting a series of beach and marina cleanups, underwater ghost net removals, and hands-on sessions with youth focusing on protecting Sea Turtles.
The Oman Kite Festival serves as a platform for showcasing the Sultanate's stunning coastal and marine scenery, strengthening its position on the global tourist map and attracting enthusiasts of adventure sports and international sporting events. Following the success of the 2024 Oman Downwinder, the event aims to promote key coastal destinations as premier global kiteboarding locations. It also helps to encourage experience-based tourism in unexplored places, encourages domestic travel, promotes community development, and increase awareness of Oman as a premier destination for adventure and outdoor experiences.
