Primarily catering to business travellers, the Crowne Plaza Muscat is offering special packages until the end of September specifically designed for meeting organisers.

"We are offering packages ranging between $90 (OR35) to $115 (OR45) which include room rent, two coffee breaks, lunch, meeting space and equipment," said the director of sales and marketing Naji Abi Farah.

Boasting one of the best locations in Muscat on a cliff top overlooking the Gulf of Oman, the Crowne Plaza Muscat prides in its meeting and conference facilities. The hotel offers extensive business services including translation and public relations service, secretarial assistance and computers and laser printers among others. It also offers modern meeting facilities for up to 800 delegates besides 16 business rooms and seven function rooms.

The hotel is part of the worldwide Crowne Plaza Meeting Success programme which is designed to help meeting planners host meetings successfully. The programme is available at 140 Crowne Plaza properties worldwide and offers unique and special programme choices according to individual needs of each planner.

The hotel has also commenced renovation of the its B-block. "All our 106 rooms in the B-block are currently being upgraded. Most of the rooms will be transformed into business rooms ideal for the business traveller.

The renovation is scheduled for completion by end-August," added Abi Farah.

The 208-room hotel, which is also an ideal destination for tourists because of its beachfront location, is ideally structured in the prestigious 'Qurum Heights'. It includes an outdoor pool, on-site fitness facility, sauna and three restaurants including 'Shiraz' the only Persian restaurant in town.

Commenting on the government efforts to boost tourism, Abi Farah said, "Business has obviously been affected following the war.

However, as a result of the government's efforts to promote tourism, we are looking forward to a positive occupancy this winter."

Elaborating further, Abi Farah explained, "Recently the Directorate of Tourism participated in major travel shows in Europe and the Middle East region as a result of which we have started receiving inquiries.

A number of tour operators have already shown interest and a couple of contracts too are in place. Also, in June 2003, the Ministry had hosted the GCC roadshow to promote the destination, which saw participation from travel agents throughout the GCC as well as hotels in Oman.

This too is a positive sign and we are confident that we will tide over this difficult period."

The Crowne Plaza Muscat is also doing its bit to boost traffic in to Muscat. It has already extended its special weekend rates which are now applicable seven days a week until September 30.

Moreover, the hotel is also actively promoting the 'Magic of Muscat' package, which has been in place for the last two years and has been well received by the GCC residents.