14 March 2012
MUSCAT -- The Mirbat Beach Project, a mixed use leisure and residential development in Dhofar Governorate, has been granted the status of an Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC), according to the project's promoters Dhofar Tourism Company. Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabr al Thani, Chairman of Dhofar Tourism Company, said in the Board of Directors report on the company's performance during 2011 that a licence affirming the project's ITC status has been issued by the Ministry of Tourism.
"(The licence) will have major impact and value to attract local and international investors. Our plans in the near future are to submit the detailed drawings for the next phase to the Ministry of Tourism," Al Thani stated. Dhofar Tourism has already established an integrated resort development at Hino anchored by the five-star Salalah Marriott Resort and includes chalets, spa, dive centre and various other amenities.
The Mirbat Beach Project is proposed to feature residential components comprising villas and apartments, as well as a golf course, marina with a capacity to berth 75 boats, private school, hospital, nursery school, mall, water sports facility and other amenities. A total of 534 furnished apartments are envisaged in addition to a 300-room hotel. In all, 1,600 units of villas and apartments will be constructed over five phases of the project's development.
Leading hotel operator Marriott International, which manages the resort at Mirbat, has signed agreements with local, regional and European tour operators with a view to attracting tourists to the property. That effort has begun to pay dividends with a significant increase in tourist traffic witnessed with effect from early November 2011, the Chairman said. Omanisation at the resort has now risen to 40 per cent, the Chairman added.
MUSCAT -- The Mirbat Beach Project, a mixed use leisure and residential development in Dhofar Governorate, has been granted the status of an Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC), according to the project's promoters Dhofar Tourism Company. Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabr al Thani, Chairman of Dhofar Tourism Company, said in the Board of Directors report on the company's performance during 2011 that a licence affirming the project's ITC status has been issued by the Ministry of Tourism.
"(The licence) will have major impact and value to attract local and international investors. Our plans in the near future are to submit the detailed drawings for the next phase to the Ministry of Tourism," Al Thani stated. Dhofar Tourism has already established an integrated resort development at Hino anchored by the five-star Salalah Marriott Resort and includes chalets, spa, dive centre and various other amenities.
The Mirbat Beach Project is proposed to feature residential components comprising villas and apartments, as well as a golf course, marina with a capacity to berth 75 boats, private school, hospital, nursery school, mall, water sports facility and other amenities. A total of 534 furnished apartments are envisaged in addition to a 300-room hotel. In all, 1,600 units of villas and apartments will be constructed over five phases of the project's development.
Leading hotel operator Marriott International, which manages the resort at Mirbat, has signed agreements with local, regional and European tour operators with a view to attracting tourists to the property. That effort has begun to pay dividends with a significant increase in tourist traffic witnessed with effect from early November 2011, the Chairman said. Omanisation at the resort has now risen to 40 per cent, the Chairman added.
© Oman Daily Observer 2012
