Tourism projects in various stages of planning and development in Oman include:
Muriya: State-owned Oman Tourism Development Company (OTDC) signed a pact with Egypt’s Orascom for Muriya, a joint venture plan to develop four integrated tourism complexes at Wadi Al Qurum, Salalah, Sifah and Al Soda Island with an initial investment of over $800 million.
Muriya proposes to transform Qurum into a classy township by upgrading its status as the hub of the city, involving an elegant 250-room six-star hotel; an Omani souq, linked to a 35,000 square metres shopping mall; a 35,000 square metres office building to house the most reputable local and foreign companies and various other components.
Yiti Resort: Similarly, the first phase of the picturesque $1.4 billion Salam Resort & Spa at Yiti is expected to be completed in mid-2009. When fully developed, over 700 hotel rooms will be available for tourists with additional serviced residences. This resort, located a 15-minute drive south of Muscat, is positioned as an architectural testimony to Oman’s diverse natural beauty, rich culture and beauty and is poised to become a prime destination for the international luxury travel market.
Omagine: The US-based Alfa International Holdings Corporation and Joannou & Paraskevaides of Greece were also given the nod to establish a $1.6bn resort beyond Seeb north of Muscat. The resort, with hotels, harbour, retail facilities, restaurants and residential areas, will be called Omagine.
Other projects that continue apace include the mixed-used developments are the $15 billion Blue City (Al Madina Al Zarqa) planned near Barka to the north of Muscat and the $1 billion The Wave Muscat being built just opposite the Seeb International Airport.