The promoter of a tourism resort under construction at Mirbat in Salalah have chosen a consultant to re-evaluate the master plan and market the project.

Dhofar Tourism Co said it signed a contract with South African firm Grant Thornton Kessel Feinstein.

The Mirbat Tourism Village, which is sited on a 2.5 km stretch of coastline at the fishing village of Hino, will have 206-room five-star hotel and 70 chalets, along with restaurants, recreation facilities and other amenities.

Work on the RO8.2 million first phase began in September 2001 by Modern Contracting Company.

Managing director Hashim Taher Al Ibrahimi said Grant Thornton was studying the inclusion of new components to the plans and would submit recommendations by June.

A number of proposals had been received from parties offering to operate the resort, said Al Ibrahimi.

The company was set up in 1993 with a share capital of RO3 million.

The Omani government later contributed a royal grant of RO1 million, and late last year, Qatar's Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment stepped in as a shareholder with an investment of RO4 million.