18 October 2008
MUSCAT -- Dhofar Tourism Company, which is jointly owned by Omani investors and the Government of Qatar, has announced the first phase of an ambitious tourism and residential development at Mirbat in Dhofar Governorate. Total investment in the six phases of the project is estimated at $30 billion over the next 15 years. Details about the massive waterfront community development were unveiled at a press briefing held at the InterContinental Muscat on Thursday. Set on 2 million sq mt of land, the development will ultimately be home to 100,000 people and create around 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, said Shaikh Nawaf al Thani, Chairman of Dhofar Tourism Company.
Development of the huge venture is being kicked off with launch of the Mirbat Beach project in the first phase, with an investment of over $1 billion. The centrepiece is the Royal Tulip Resort and Spa Mirbat Salalah, a five-star property due for a soft launch in the first quarter of 2009.
'Mirbat Beach' will feature 1500 residential units (town houses, village houses, villas, apartments) and over 10,000 sq metres of retail space and 10,000 sq metres of office space. Also envisioned is a second five-star hotel with 300 keys, a 9-hole golf-course and clubhouse, a water park, a private hospital/clinic with helipad, nursery and child care facility, as well as an entertainment centre for adults and children.
In remarks, Al Thani cited Oman's natural beauty, political stability, robust economic growth, and its untapped real estate potential for the launch of the Mirbat Beach project. Describing Salalah as the 'paradise of the GCC', he said the prestigious project would be conceived and developed to the highest standards keeping in mind the lifestyle requirements of investors. He also stated: "This association with leading international organisations in Oman, will definitely place Mirbat Beach as a world-class tourist destination. We are undoubtedly sure that our partnership will go a long way in establishing this project as a prized location to the world, giving opportunities for local employment and attracting many to experience the natural wealth of Oman and extending it to a luxurious lifestyle."
To promote the development, Dhofar Tourism also announced a 'strategic alliance' with a number of local and international organisations. The company signed an agreement with Oman Arab Bank (OAB) to partner the project as a Financial Investment Partner through their Al Dar housing loans plan. OAB will aid the purchase of property with loan facilities and financial advice, thereby assisting in securing investments made by purchasers from within and outside of Oman. Dhofar Tourism also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BankDhofar, which will provide services for financial investments by potential purchasers of the housing units at the 'Mirbat Beach.'
Hamptons International, as sole real estate agent, will use its global reach in selling and marketing the properties to companies and individuals within and outside the Sultanate. Roughly half of the properties on offer are targeted at customers in Oman and the Gulf region, while the rest will be promoted largely within the Middle-East-North Africa region and the European Union. Wunderman signed the agreement as Dhofar Tourism Company's Integrated Communications Agency for the entire project. The agency as a knowledge partner will handle all communication pertaining to the project on all its phases of development.
Established in 1993 as a public joint stock company, Dhofar Tourism Company is owned 50-50 by Omani investors and a Qatari government owned investment development company. Also present at Thursday's signing ceremony were Jassim bin Jaber bin Souror, Consul from the Qatar Embassy, and a number of top executives from the partner organisations.
MUSCAT -- Dhofar Tourism Company, which is jointly owned by Omani investors and the Government of Qatar, has announced the first phase of an ambitious tourism and residential development at Mirbat in Dhofar Governorate. Total investment in the six phases of the project is estimated at $30 billion over the next 15 years. Details about the massive waterfront community development were unveiled at a press briefing held at the InterContinental Muscat on Thursday. Set on 2 million sq mt of land, the development will ultimately be home to 100,000 people and create around 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, said Shaikh Nawaf al Thani, Chairman of Dhofar Tourism Company.
Development of the huge venture is being kicked off with launch of the Mirbat Beach project in the first phase, with an investment of over $1 billion. The centrepiece is the Royal Tulip Resort and Spa Mirbat Salalah, a five-star property due for a soft launch in the first quarter of 2009.
'Mirbat Beach' will feature 1500 residential units (town houses, village houses, villas, apartments) and over 10,000 sq metres of retail space and 10,000 sq metres of office space. Also envisioned is a second five-star hotel with 300 keys, a 9-hole golf-course and clubhouse, a water park, a private hospital/clinic with helipad, nursery and child care facility, as well as an entertainment centre for adults and children.
In remarks, Al Thani cited Oman's natural beauty, political stability, robust economic growth, and its untapped real estate potential for the launch of the Mirbat Beach project. Describing Salalah as the 'paradise of the GCC', he said the prestigious project would be conceived and developed to the highest standards keeping in mind the lifestyle requirements of investors. He also stated: "This association with leading international organisations in Oman, will definitely place Mirbat Beach as a world-class tourist destination. We are undoubtedly sure that our partnership will go a long way in establishing this project as a prized location to the world, giving opportunities for local employment and attracting many to experience the natural wealth of Oman and extending it to a luxurious lifestyle."
To promote the development, Dhofar Tourism also announced a 'strategic alliance' with a number of local and international organisations. The company signed an agreement with Oman Arab Bank (OAB) to partner the project as a Financial Investment Partner through their Al Dar housing loans plan. OAB will aid the purchase of property with loan facilities and financial advice, thereby assisting in securing investments made by purchasers from within and outside of Oman. Dhofar Tourism also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BankDhofar, which will provide services for financial investments by potential purchasers of the housing units at the 'Mirbat Beach.'
Hamptons International, as sole real estate agent, will use its global reach in selling and marketing the properties to companies and individuals within and outside the Sultanate. Roughly half of the properties on offer are targeted at customers in Oman and the Gulf region, while the rest will be promoted largely within the Middle-East-North Africa region and the European Union. Wunderman signed the agreement as Dhofar Tourism Company's Integrated Communications Agency for the entire project. The agency as a knowledge partner will handle all communication pertaining to the project on all its phases of development.
Established in 1993 as a public joint stock company, Dhofar Tourism Company is owned 50-50 by Omani investors and a Qatari government owned investment development company. Also present at Thursday's signing ceremony were Jassim bin Jaber bin Souror, Consul from the Qatar Embassy, and a number of top executives from the partner organisations.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
