Foundation stone laid for key Oman tourism resort

Officials at the signing ceremony in Oman last week.

RELATED ARTICLES: Oman announces OMR50.5m spend on eight projects | Qatar to boost tourism market over next 3 years | Luxury Resort contracts awarded by Al Osaimi

Key officials in Oman gathered in the Sultanate last week to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone for the Al Baleed Resort in the Dhofar region.

A joint venture between the government’s tourism development and investment arm Omran and MB Holding Company’s Musstir LCC, the 5-star development is part of a wider scheme to improve tourism in Oman and the Dhofar region specifically.

Due to complete by December 2012, the resort will feature one main hotel building with 30 rooms, themed restaurants, spas and other recreational facilities, as well as 106 chalets with their own swimming pools.

Work is officially due to start on site in November 2010, with the main contractor mobilising in May 2011.

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Congratulations Rajiha Bint Abdul Ameer for this project and look forward to be in Oman to be associated with this proje   2 Comments Read more comments »

Omran chairperson and minister of tourism Rajiha Bint Abdul Ameer Bin Ali said: “This will be another strong tourism attraction for Oman and a fantastic accomplishment for Omran and Musstir.

“This project supports our aim to enrich and further strengthen the structure of the Sultanate’s tourism and it will develop the tourism potential of the Dhofar region.

“It is in line with our vision for development, with tourism expected to be one of the largest sectors contributing to our nation’s economic growth by 2020.”

Located at a site with easy access to the major road network, the resort is also open to the sea in the south, with linear axes running North-South connecting the main frontage to the sea.

Developers are attempting to integrate high quality and environmental standards by ensuring that the resort not only adheres to important planning and building regulations, but that the built elements gain the best orientation for solar access, shading and air flow.

MB Holding Company’s chairman Mohamed Al-Barwani said: “As a socially responsible organisation, we remain committed to sustaining and adding value to our society, the environment and the economy, through all our projects.

“I look forward to working with Omran on this exciting project, and I’m confident that together we will be able to achieve our common goals.’’