Oman: Muriya, Oman’s largest private integrated tourism developer, has started construction of a new 400-key branded five-star hotel in Hawana Salalah, its flagship destination in the Governorate of Dhofar.

With the first phase of the hotel due to open in December, Muriya said it is continuing with its strategy to meet the growing influx of European and regional tourists visiting Salalah year-round.

Samih Sawiris, chairman of Muriya and of Orascom Development Holding (ODH) said: “Salalah in particular has manifested over the past six years that it possesses all the components of being an enticing and growing international tourist destination.

"Muriya’s investments have already reached $750 million to date in Oman, and the addition of our new 5-star luxury hotel to Hawana Salalah is a clear indication of our increasing commitment and plans for further investments in the sector.
"Once completed, the hotel complex will make Hawana Salalah the only destination in Oman that offers five very unique hotel and lodging propositions across 1,500 luxury rooms.”

Sawiris added: “The tourism sector is primarily an engine for economic growth and job creation, and Muriya has continuously spearheaded such growth, tying in hotel development into the already existing multitude of facilities within its destinations, including real estate offerings.

"We have also been attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the sultanate, where many of our hotel guests are increasingly investing in freehold properties. Muriya has succeeded in 2019 alone to deliver some 600 properties ahead of schedule across two destinations mostly to foreign investors.”

The new hotel will offer 400 rooms and suites and will offer 105,000 sq m of premium beachfront overlooking the Indian Ocean as part of a complex featuring fine dining restaurants, bars, swimming pools, a recreational fitness and leisure club, meeting and conference facilities.

Muriya is a partnership between Orascom Development Holding and Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN).

Hawana Salalah has an area of 13.6 million sq m and will house a total of seven hotels, of which four are operational. The destination is also home to Oman’s first aqua park, the Hawana Aqua Park, a 170-berth marina, freehold residences, which are available to own or rent, and retail venues, restaurants and cafes.