Oman’s Ministry of Tourism has announced its new plans to develop luxurious hotels in order to address the rising numbers of guest arrivals.
STAGGERING RISE
According to a study conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the country saw an increase in revenues and guest nights, recording a 26.1 growth in guest numbers in December 2014 against previous years. Oman’s four- and five-star hotel portfolio has also witnessed a total year-on-year revenue growth of 10.3 per cent during the same period.
Her Excellency Maitha Al Mahrooqi, undersecretary, Oman Ministry of Tourism, said: “We are both pleased and excited to witness the positive developments in our tourism industry. As of now, Business Monitor Index (BMI) has predicted that there will be 1.14 million tourist arrivals this 2015, representing a 3 per cent increase from the previous year as tourist receipts reach $2.24 billion, up by 5 per cent year-on-year. As more and more people flock to have an exotic and authentic travel experience, we want to provide superior services and top-quality experiences to our travellers from the Gulf and all over the world.”
IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP
The spotlight is on luxury developments and collaboration with iconic international brands that are synonymous with sophisticated tastes. The top 10 projects that are currently being developed in the country boasts a total investment value of just over $3.3 billion.
Among those that will open their doors in the Sultanate will be Westin, St Regis and W, as well as Ritz Carlton – the Muscat Reserve, at a staggering budget of $200 million. High-end, mixed-use developments such as the Saraya Bandar Jissah Resort valued at $840 million are also underway as well as the Kempinski Hotel, Louis Vuitton Hotel and Fairmont Hotel, which will be completed in the next few years.
Shati Salalah resort alone will have 700 rooms and 205 residential units and villas which will be completed within the year. Alila Resort Salalah, on the other hand, will offer 125 rooms and 46 residential units and 49 villas – all set for completion in 2016.
Two major luxury hotels will be opening their doors in 2017, Yiti Resort with 550 rooms and 1,100 residential units and villas and Saraya Bandar Jissah with 326 rooms and 356 residential units and villas. These prestigious and sophisticated brands are set to accommodate the upcoming surge of visitors to Oman.
Al Mahrouqi said: “Oman’s tourism sector is burgeoning with activity and contributed to the country’s GDP, which has risen by 2.2 per cent in 2015, as per the National Statistics & Information Centre in Oman. We are going in the right direction by upgrading our tourism-related infrastructure projects to cater to the growing number of tourists.”
INFRASTRUCTURE BOOM
Various development projects in Oman are being undertaken to complement the rapid rise in the Sultanate’s tourism sector.
The fleet and route extension by national carrier Oman Air, as well as the increase in capacity and frequency by other airlines, have called for the expansion of the international airports in Muscat and Salalah. The ongoing construction of a new terminal at Salalah Airport will increase its capacity to handle one million passengers annually, while the new airport in Muscat will be able to handle 12 million passengers per annum in the first stage of its expansion.
The sea ports, on the other hand, have contributed to Oman’s growing tourism as nearly 300,000 cruise passengers have passed through the ports of Sultan Qaboos, Khasab and Salalah in 2014. Moreover, Port Sultan Qaboos is being converted from a commercial port to a dedicated tourism port.
Set to become an iconic landmark upon its inauguration in 2016, the new Oman Convention and Exhibition Center will offer world-class facilities to host international business and cultural events. A purpose-built, fully integrated business precinct, it can accommodate 3,200 people in a tiered auditorium style seating and boasts of more than 22,000 sqm of column-less exhibition space.
STRONG GCC PULL
Oman welcomed more than 840,000 tourists, which is 73 per cent of the total number of tourists visiting Oman from the GCC alone in 2014, representing a 10 per cent increase over the previous year. Globally, the Sultanate witnessed a 7 per cent growth in the number of tourist arrivals from 2013, with over 1.47 million visitors.
Oman is renowned for its rugged coasts and beaches, scenic mountain peaks, dramatic coastlines, and ‘wadis’ (waterbeds), while its famous activities include desert camping, turtle-watching and water sports and diving.
Aside from the region, an industry report also shows that Asia is Oman’s largest market for inbound travel. In its Oman Tourism Report Q2 2015, BMI says Asia has strong potential for future growth, with arrivals set to increase by 37.3 per cent between 2014 and 2018.
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Millennium to debut brand in Oman
Millennium & Copthorne, Middle East and Africa (MEA) announced at Arabian Travel Market that it has signed two hotels in the Sultanate of Oman, including the global debut of the new eco-lifestyle brand, Agarwood.
Millennium & Copthorne MEA entered into an agreement with Al Madina Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality arm of Al Madina Real Estate Company, to develop the Group’s Agarwood brand as well as a new addition to the development pipeline for its innovative budget brand, Studio M.
The signings will add to a rapidly growing portfolio that includes the recently opened Millennium Executive Apartments Muscat and the Millennium Hotel Mussanah and both projects play a key part in the company’s wider strategic plan that includes the introduction of Grand Millennium & Copthorne hotel brands to Muscat later this year. The move will result in Millennium & Copthorne becoming one of the largest hotel operators in Oman.
Due to open in 2017 in Salalah, Agarwood will be an exclusive 286 key resort encompassing a hotel, villas and apartments, all set in beautiful natural surroundings. A unique lifestyle brand, Agarwood Hotels combine modern design sensibilities with innovative and intelligent eco-friendly features whilst providing comfort and style. The resort will include an all-day specialty restaurant serving fresh produce, a wellness spa, business centre, kids’ club, retail outlets and ballroom.
In addition, Millennium & Copthorne will be launching its new budget boutique Studio M hotel concept in the Al Hail district along the Sultan Qaboos Highway in Muscat. The 302 key property, due to open in 2017, will combine a chic minimalist design, contemporary functionality and fuss free technology to cater for the new generation of independent travellers and those travellers who are ‘young at heart’.