Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has highlighted tourism investments worth AED 1.2 billion ($328 million) across Egypt and Oman, alongside cultural infrastructure support in Morocco, as part of its efforts to promote economic diversification and sustainable development.
The investments include an AED 440 million hospitality project near Egypt’s Giza pyramids and an AED 764.5 million tourism development in Salalah, Oman, incorporating hotel facilities, a marina, coastal infrastructure and supporting utilities.
Marking World Tourism Day, ADFD said its tourism financing strategy focuses on connecting hospitality and cultural developments with the transport, infrastructure and local economic capabilities needed to support long-term destination growth.
Egypt investment targets tourism development near Giza pyramids
ADFD’s portfolio includes an AED 440 million investment in the Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza project in Egypt.
Located near the Giza pyramids, the development is intended to strengthen hospitality infrastructure in one of the country’s principal cultural tourism destinations.
The investment forms part of ADFD’s wider approach to supporting tourism assets that can attract visitors and contribute to local economic activity.
The fund said tourism projects should be assessed not only in terms of their individual commercial performance but also their contribution to surrounding communities and supporting infrastructure.
Rashed Al Kaabi, Acting Deputy Director General and Executive Director of Investment Sector at ADFD, said tourism investment could generate wider economic benefits.
“Investment in tourism can create value across the wider economy, supporting diversification, attracting investment and generating opportunities for local communities,” he said.
“At ADFD, we look at projects through their broader economic impact, supporting the infrastructure and assets that can strengthen destinations and contribute to sustainable growth in our partner countries.”
$208m Salalah development combines hospitality and infrastructure
In Oman, ADFD has supported the development of an AED 764.5 million tourism complex in Salalah.
The project covers approximately 2.5 million square metres and combines hospitality facilities with a marina, coastal development, roads and public utilities.
The development illustrates an integrated approach to tourism infrastructure, with investment extending beyond accommodation to include the facilities and services required to support the wider destination.
Its scope includes multiple infrastructure components, bringing together hospitality construction, marine facilities, transport access and utility provision within a single tourism development.
Such projects require coordination between different construction and infrastructure disciplines, particularly where public utilities and transport connections must be delivered alongside commercial facilities.
The Salalah investment is intended to strengthen the region’s tourism infrastructure while supporting associated economic activity.
Cultural infrastructure investment supports Morocco’s tourism sector
ADFD also highlighted its support for the Asilah Museum in Morocco.
The project focuses on cultural infrastructure, supporting the preservation and presentation of the city’s heritage.
Unlike the large-scale hospitality developments in Egypt and Oman, the museum investment demonstrates ADFD’s involvement in smaller cultural assets that contribute to destination development.
The fund said cultural infrastructure can help strengthen tourism appeal while supporting local economic opportunities.
The Morocco project forms part of a wider portfolio that combines tourism facilities, heritage preservation and supporting infrastructure.
Tourism financing linked to economic diversification
ADFD said its investment approach considers the broader economic effects of tourism projects, including their ability to support local businesses, attract further investment and generate employment opportunities.
The organisation’s portfolio reflects different approaches to tourism development, from individual hospitality assets to integrated coastal developments and cultural facilities.
The combined value of the identified investments in Egypt and Oman is AED 1.2045 billion, excluding the museum project in Morocco, for which a financing figure was not provided.
ADFD did not disclose updated construction schedules, completion dates or delivery milestones for the projects.
The investments nevertheless demonstrate the fund’s continued involvement in tourism-related infrastructure, with financing directed towards developments that combine commercial tourism facilities with the physical and cultural assets supporting destination growth.
