01 October 2011
Muscat: Muriya Tourism Development Company plans to invest about $1 billion in the next five years at different tourism development projects, which will be implemented in the Governorates of Muscat and Dhofar, Adil Taqi, chief executive of Muriya Tourism Development Company, said.
He further said that the company is currently developing four tourism projects in the governorates of Muscat and Dhofar namely Jebel Sifah, City Walk project in the Governorate of Muscat, Salalah Beach project, which is set up on 15.6 million square metres area, and Al Sodah Island in the Governorate of Dhofar.
Muriya chief executive said that while the company is committed to the agreements signed with the government to build 500 rooms at Jebel Sifah project in early 2015, the company will complete the same in 2014 by completing three hotels.
The first four-star hotel will be opened in the third quarter of 2011 and the other two five-star hotels will be delivered in 2014. He pointed out that after completion, Jabal Sifah project will have 805 rooms.
Muriya will be the first tourism development company to open a four-star hotel at integrated tourism complexes through Sifawy hotel, which will be opened during the third quarter of this year in Jebel Sifah. The hotel will have 55 rooms and 25 furnished apartments. The company will also be the first to open the Marina, which will be launched this year in Jebel Sifah project as well.
Adil Taqi pointed out that Jebel Sifah will add value to the tourism sector in the Sultanate as it includes Yacht Marina, Marina Town, Marina Boutique Hotel, four five-star hotels, 18 holes for golf course, cafes and restaurants.
The Marina Town will host a number of retail shops. As of now, 42 shops are ready for rent. This part of the project will be the backbone of life in Jebel Sifah and will mix between service utilities, such as banks, foodstuffs outlets, travel offices, pharmacy, as well as restaurants, cafes, entertainment centers and others.
The project also includes a number of villas and luxurious apartments, a number of which will be delivered by the company this year. Several these residential apartments overlook the marina. The housing units are designed as per the world standards to ensure convenience for residents.
He further said that the second project in the Governorate of Muscat is the City Walk in Al Hail area on the beach front. The company is finalising the formalities for the allocation and development of land. He pointed out that the project will comprise of a shopping area, a 250 room five-star hotel and shops of different sizes and types.
Boosting tourism
Muriya's CEO also said that the first project in the Governorate of Dhofar is Salalah Beach, which located at a unique area between Taqah Spring and Humran. The project, which spread over an area of 15.6 million square meters, includes five hotels, marina, apartments and shops. Once completed, the project will have 1407 rooms.
The company will open its second hotel and Marina next year as part of Salalah Beach project, which will be opened next year. He said that the company is committed to build 500 rooms in 2015.
Adil Taqi added that by the end of next year, the company will have 700 rooms in Salalah Beach project by opening the second hotel, which is completed as part of the integrated tourism complex alongside with the five-star Rotana hotel, which comprises 400 rooms. He affirmed that the company will complete another two hotels late 2013.
The Marina, apartments and shops are deemed ready and will be opened at the end of this year or early next year. He explained that this reflects the experience of the company in tourism investment.
As for the fourth project, he said that Al Sodah Island comprises 32 villas overlooking the sea, a restaurant, a diving centre, a health club and an Olympic club that will be managed by a renowned French company specialised in this business. He affirmed that Al Sodah Island project will enhance the tourism level of the Governorate of Dhofar in particular and the Sultanate in general.
The setting up of Muriya is part of government's endeavour to develop tourism industry for diversifying the economy, creating job opportunities for the nationals and providing the local companies with opportunities to take part in the implementation of such projects. He added that the company is committed to meeting stipulated Omanisation rates and that more than 1100 and 300 Omanis are working in Jabal Sifah and Salalah Beach respectively.
Muriya Tourism Development Company is a joint venture between the Government, represented by Omran (30 per cent) and Egypt's Orascom Hotels & Development (70 per cent). The company has projects in Morocco, England, Switzerland, Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.
Muscat: Muriya Tourism Development Company plans to invest about $1 billion in the next five years at different tourism development projects, which will be implemented in the Governorates of Muscat and Dhofar, Adil Taqi, chief executive of Muriya Tourism Development Company, said.
He further said that the company is currently developing four tourism projects in the governorates of Muscat and Dhofar namely Jebel Sifah, City Walk project in the Governorate of Muscat, Salalah Beach project, which is set up on 15.6 million square metres area, and Al Sodah Island in the Governorate of Dhofar.
Muriya chief executive said that while the company is committed to the agreements signed with the government to build 500 rooms at Jebel Sifah project in early 2015, the company will complete the same in 2014 by completing three hotels.
The first four-star hotel will be opened in the third quarter of 2011 and the other two five-star hotels will be delivered in 2014. He pointed out that after completion, Jabal Sifah project will have 805 rooms.
Muriya will be the first tourism development company to open a four-star hotel at integrated tourism complexes through Sifawy hotel, which will be opened during the third quarter of this year in Jebel Sifah. The hotel will have 55 rooms and 25 furnished apartments. The company will also be the first to open the Marina, which will be launched this year in Jebel Sifah project as well.
Adil Taqi pointed out that Jebel Sifah will add value to the tourism sector in the Sultanate as it includes Yacht Marina, Marina Town, Marina Boutique Hotel, four five-star hotels, 18 holes for golf course, cafes and restaurants.
The Marina Town will host a number of retail shops. As of now, 42 shops are ready for rent. This part of the project will be the backbone of life in Jebel Sifah and will mix between service utilities, such as banks, foodstuffs outlets, travel offices, pharmacy, as well as restaurants, cafes, entertainment centers and others.
The project also includes a number of villas and luxurious apartments, a number of which will be delivered by the company this year. Several these residential apartments overlook the marina. The housing units are designed as per the world standards to ensure convenience for residents.
He further said that the second project in the Governorate of Muscat is the City Walk in Al Hail area on the beach front. The company is finalising the formalities for the allocation and development of land. He pointed out that the project will comprise of a shopping area, a 250 room five-star hotel and shops of different sizes and types.
Boosting tourism
Muriya's CEO also said that the first project in the Governorate of Dhofar is Salalah Beach, which located at a unique area between Taqah Spring and Humran. The project, which spread over an area of 15.6 million square meters, includes five hotels, marina, apartments and shops. Once completed, the project will have 1407 rooms.
The company will open its second hotel and Marina next year as part of Salalah Beach project, which will be opened next year. He said that the company is committed to build 500 rooms in 2015.
Adil Taqi added that by the end of next year, the company will have 700 rooms in Salalah Beach project by opening the second hotel, which is completed as part of the integrated tourism complex alongside with the five-star Rotana hotel, which comprises 400 rooms. He affirmed that the company will complete another two hotels late 2013.
The Marina, apartments and shops are deemed ready and will be opened at the end of this year or early next year. He explained that this reflects the experience of the company in tourism investment.
As for the fourth project, he said that Al Sodah Island comprises 32 villas overlooking the sea, a restaurant, a diving centre, a health club and an Olympic club that will be managed by a renowned French company specialised in this business. He affirmed that Al Sodah Island project will enhance the tourism level of the Governorate of Dhofar in particular and the Sultanate in general.
The setting up of Muriya is part of government's endeavour to develop tourism industry for diversifying the economy, creating job opportunities for the nationals and providing the local companies with opportunities to take part in the implementation of such projects. He added that the company is committed to meeting stipulated Omanisation rates and that more than 1100 and 300 Omanis are working in Jabal Sifah and Salalah Beach respectively.
Muriya Tourism Development Company is a joint venture between the Government, represented by Omran (30 per cent) and Egypt's Orascom Hotels & Development (70 per cent). The company has projects in Morocco, England, Switzerland, Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.
© Times of Oman 2011
