MILLENNIUM & Coptho- Copthorne Hotels Middle East and Africa (MEA) will open three new properties in Oman, starting with the launch of a global brand first, the 115-key Millennium Executive Apartments property in Muscat, in the first quarter of 2015.
Another two Millennium hotels will be added to the group portfolio in 2015 in the Omani capital, Grand Millennium Hotel Muscat and Copthorne Hotel Muscat.“This represents a double first for Millennium – our first footstep into Muscat and the global debut for our Millennium Executive Apartments brand, which is a new concept from the company designed to specifically address the growing demand for serviced apartments in the region,” says Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, president and chief executive officer, Millennium and Copthorne Hotels MEA.“It’s also a first for Muscat’s rapidly developing hospitality sector, with both the Millennium Executive Apartments and Grand Millennium Muscat Hotel directly connected to the new Grand Mall Muscat. This is something unique to Oman’s tourism offering and is sure to be a major selling point for both hotels with the promise of ‘exclusive access’ to the city’s newest retail and entertainment hub,” he adds.According to Price Waterhouse Coopers’ (PwC) May 2014 Middle East hotel forecast, Muscat hoteliers witnessed the highest growth in revenue per available room in 2014 among the GCC countries at 6.6 per cent, beating both Dubai and Doha, with PwC forecasting positive RevPAR outlook into 2015.“Government and private sector investment is driving tourism industry growth opportunities in the Sultanate with the $6.1 billion development of enhanced airport facilities, a new convention centre, and a healthy hotel pipeline. We believe that the country is poised to make its mark on the regional tourism map and Millennium has a full complement of brands to capture every market segment,” notes Alzaabi.Under the government’s Vision 2020 plan, Oman is preparing to welcome 12 million visitors annually by 2020, which is a substantial increase on its 2.2 million visitors in 2013, and increase total room count to 20,000 units by the end of the decade.The Grand Millennium, Muscat Hotel is a sharia-compliant property connected to the adjacent Muscat Grand Mall via a dedicated sky bridge.The three new Muscat properties join the 234-room Millennium Resort Mussanah, which also offers 74 serviced apartments.