Oman's Latest Tourism Development Milestone

With the official opening of the 4-star Fanar Hotel & Residences, Muriya - the diversified developer of Oman’s biggest destinations - has successfully completed the 700-room 1^st Phase of the hotel development plan in its flagship location, Oman’s southernmost Governorate of Dhofar.
                                                                      
A ceremony held under the auspices of H.E. Sayyid Muhammad bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar marked this milestone and celebrated the grand opening of the Fanar Hotel & Residences - Muriya’s 3^rd hotel property in the region.
 
Samih Sawiris, Chairman of Muriya and of Orascom Development Holding AG said “Today we celebrate an important milestone that underlines our commitment to building bustling high-end touristic towns, developing new lifestyle experiences, and the creation of direct and indirect jobs. Today we celebrate a huge step in turning into a reality what, for decades, has been a widely held belief in the potential of Salalah as a prime year-round destination.”


Photo courtesy of Sultanate of Oman Tourism

Further evidence of the area’s tourism potential is the state-of-the-art Salalah International Airport – opened in June 2015 to cater for an expected two million annual local, regional & international visitors. The airport receives direct international flights from Europe, as well as regional hubs like Dubai and Doha that provide excellent connections for travellers from Australia and New Zealand, as well as multiple daily services to/from Oman’s capital, Muscat.
 
Mona Tannous, Country Manager Australia & New Zealand, Sultanate of Oman Tourism said, "More and more travellers from our markets are visiting Salalah in Oman’s southernmost governorate of Dhofar. A popular stop for cruise ships, Salalah is renowned for its mild summer climate nurtured by the annual Khareef weather pattern (temperatures that average just 29 degrees make it irresistible), but also year-round to experience its abundant natural beauty, historic treasures like the ancient city of Sumhuram – one of four significant world heritage sites inscribed under UNESCO’s Land of the Frankincense Trail, the diverse marine and sea life including Giant Trevally, the contemporary local frankincense and artisan producers, a growing food culture and now attracting international brand resorts to cater for the increase demand.”
 

Photo courtesy of Sultanate of Oman Tourism

Khalid bin Musallam al Rawas, Director General of the Directorate General of Tourism in Dhofar commented, “With the Government of Oman outlining tourism as a key sector in the latest 5 Year Plan 2016-2020 and vision Oman 2040, the completion of the first phase of Muriya’s hotel development plan in Dhofar provides a substantial boost to its high-end hospitality infrastructure.
 
“According to the National Centre for Statistics (NCSI), a record 500,000 tourists visited the Governorate from June to August 2015, showing a 21% increase from the same period in 2014. We praise the efforts made by Muriya over the last few years developing Dhofar into a year round destination. The fact that Muriya’s hotel rooms all have 4 and 5 star ranking makes Muriya’s touristic development plan fully aligned with the Ministry’s development objectives for the region”, he continued.


Photo courtesy of Sultanate of Oman Tourism

Addressing the ceremony, Ahmed Dabbous, Muriya’s Chief Executive Officer, described ongoing developments that will roll out in stages including a waterpark that is scheduled to open by end of 2017. He also expressed his admiration for the work of small local entrepreneurs who are making the most of the increased visitation the Muriya developments bring to grow their businesses and enhance the region’s tourism experiences.