Sustainable development strategy for Al Hoota Cave, Wilayat Al Hamra

Client:

Sultanate of Oman, Ministry of Tourism (MOT)

The challenge:

TEAM was commissioned to develop a detailed strategy for achieving the sustainable development and operation of Al Hoota Cave, Wilayat Al Hamra. This environmentally sensitive karst area has high geological, biological and aesthetic value, having opened to the public in 2006 as the first show cave in the Gulf region.

Although the Cave attracts a large audience, it has been economically unsustainable. The challenge was to develop a tourism management model that would create much higher revenues, while respecting the environmental sensitivity of the site.

Services provided:

This project was carried out in partnership with HMR Environmental Engineering Consultants. We proposed a holistic tourism development strategy, that included the cave, the visitor centre, the surrounding mountain area and the nearby town and villages. TEAM ran the stakeholder consultations and undertook consumer research, within Oman and the GCC, before developing the implementation plan.

This included both a family offering and adventure activities for the young and active. TEAM also made recommendations for the future governance of the Cave, and delivered a detailed investment and business plan.

Outcome:

Consumer research analysis and conclusions, of relevance to all tourism in the Hajar Mountain area:

• five-year development strategy
• implementation plan
• investment and business plan