SALALAH -- With one of the largest Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) in Oman, Muriya has big development plans in Salalah. It has plans to develop seven high end hotels, five of which are beach front and two boutique hotels. Two among the seven hotels -- Zuweira Boutique and Rotana -- under the ITC titled Salalah Beach are already operational.
Third in the pipeline is either Club Med or Movenpick Resort, work formalities on which is to begin soon. Club Med is famous French hospitality chain known for its all-inclusive packages, while Movenpick is primarily 5-star Swiss hotel chain with more than 90 hotels in 26 countries.
Samih Sawiris, (pictured) Chairman of Muriya and CEO of Orascom Development, termed Oman "a land of opportunities" during the recent soft launch of 399-bed Salalah Rotana Resort, which is located between Salalah and Taqah.
Salalah, according to Sawiris, "has huge tourism potential and it has potential to grow as 4-season destination instead of its current popularity for four-month Khareef (monsoon) season. There is no denying the benefits of Khareef, which Salalah has. But it is far more than that if explored properly."
"Salalah Beach features an extensive array of retail and restaurant facilities, alongside two PGA golf courses designed by Karl Litten and Jeffery Myers. Other facilities include a 200 berth inland marina with dockside restaurants and cafés, two boutique hotels and a selection of world class resorts, including Club Med, Mövenpick and Rotana."
Sawiris laid emphasis on the fact that 60 per cent of the villa owners are Omanis while the rest 40 per cent is distributed among GCC nationals, Other Middle Eastern nationals and westerners respectively.
Located on the only tropical destination on the Arabian Peninsula adjacent to the Southern Omani city of Salalah, Salalah Beach is a 15.6 million square metre development which features a pristine 8.2 km Arabian Sea beachfront.
Salalah Beach features an extensive array of retail and restaurant facilities, alongside two PGA golf courses designed by Karl Litten and Jeffery Myers. Other facilities include a 200 berth inland marina with dockside restaurants and cafés, two boutique hotels and a selection of world class resorts, including Club Med, Mövenpick and Rotana.
"Salalah Beach offers all investors the opportunity to purchase property on a freehold ownership basis. Upon completion of ownership Omani residency is granted along with the financial benefits of residing in Oman, such as zero income and property tax for the duration of the property deed."
Besides Rotana, the property has seven hotels with 1,800 planned guestrooms; five-star and boutique hotels including Club Méditerranée, Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts and 64-bed Juweira Boutique Hotel, which opened in 2012.
Other features include 200-berth Marina and Marina town, two 18-Hole PGA golf courses, retail venues, restaurants and cafés, man-made lagoons and freehold villas and apartments.
Muriya has handed over 79 units including 68 apartments and 11 villas and has added 18 fully furnished apartments to be operated by Juweira Boutique Hotel.
© Oman Daily Observer 2014
