Salalah – More than 50,000 people have visited the Shaat viewpoint since the opening of its new glass skywalk platform, turning the clifftop site in western Dhofar into one of the governorate’s emerging tourism attractions during the khareef season.

Perched more than 1,000m above the Arabian Sea on the slopes of Mount Sager in the Al Qamar mountain range, Shaat has long been known for views stretching across green mountains and the coastline.

Its latest attraction brings visitors closer to the edge.

The centrepiece is a glass platform measuring 10m by 12m, allowing visitors to look down over the mountain slopes while taking in panoramic views of the sea.

The wider development includes viewing decks, seating and rest areas, pedestrian paths, parking, service facilities, retail spaces, a children’s play area and an open-air theatre.

Ahmed bin Saeed Baqi, owner of Sager Investment Company, which implemented the project for Dhofar Municipality, said the glass structure was developed following structural and environmental studies, wind and load analysis, soil testing and safety assessments.

The platform underwent a 40-tonne load test. Its floor uses three layers of glass with a combined thickness of 43mm.

“These measures aim to ensure the durability of the structure and the safety of visitors while providing an enjoyable tourism experience,” Baqi said.

Dhofar Municipality figures released in early August showed the site had already received more than 50,000 visitors. Access to the platform is controlled in groups of no more than 30 people for specified periods to regulate movement and maintain safety.

The experience also extends beyond the viewpoint. Spaces have been allocated to artisanal families selling Omani food, incense, perfumes, handicrafts and other local products, allowing visitor spending to support small businesses in Rakhyut.

Shaat lies around 80km from Salalah along the road towards Rakhyut and Dhalkut and has become a popular photography stop because of its elevation and changing mountain and coastal scenery.

The glass platform is part of a broader development of the viewpoint. Dhofar Municipality announced a second phase in 2025 covering rest areas, public facilities, viewing points, parking and landscaping at a cost exceeding RO1mn.

For visitors during khareef, the appeal is straightforward: a sheet of glass beneath their feet, mountain slopes below and the Arabian Sea stretching towards the horizon.

The new project brings a different touristic dimension to the site, featuring a glass viewpoint measuring 10 m in length and 12 m in width, alongside viewing platforms, rest areas, pedestrian pathways, vehicle parking, service facilities, retail zones, a children’s play area, and an open-air theatre.

The Sager Investment Company which executed the project, stated that the construction followed rigorous engineering and technical requirements, including structural and environmental studies, load and wind analysis, safety evaluations, risk management, and pre-execution soil testing.

Furthermore, the structure underwent a 40 tonne load test, and the glass consists of three layers with a total thickness of 43 mm to ensure facility durability and visitor safety.

The initiative was developed in accordance with the vision of the Dhofar Municipality, the project owner, to harness the unique natural environment of Shaat while maintaining safety and quality.

Since its opening, the site has attracted substantial visitor numbers, with Dhofar Municipality data from early August indicating that the location welcomed over 50,000 visitors, with entries regulated in batches of up to 30 people for a designated duration to ensure safety and smooth movement. The development also incorporates spaces for productive families to display Omani products, food, perfumes, and handicrafts, thereby boosting local economic activity.