Hyatt, Hilton and Mandarin Oriental in the frame for openings in billion-dollar Oman waterfront project
Some of the world’s best-known hospitality operators are vying to open hotels in a new multi-million mixed-use waterfront destination in Oman, which will regenerate one of the oldest ports and market districts in the Arab world.
Brands including Hyatt, Hilton, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree and Viceroy have declared their interest in opening hotels in the Mina Sultan Qaboos Waterfront Project, which will enter the first phase of construction in June 2016.
The state-owned Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) will establish a new company to develop the OMR500m (US$1.3bn, £917.7m, €1.19bn) waterfront scheme – which it says will “set new standards for authentic waterfront destinations in the region” – on a 101 hectare site in the centuries-old Sultan Qaboos Port in the province of Muscat.
It has formed an investor relations task force to identify funding and project partners from the private and public sectors, who will hold 49 per cent ownership in the project to Omran’s 51 per cent.
The development has been green lit by the government of Oman to stimulate the country's tourism sector. The site will feature a wide range of leisure facilities, including seven waterfront hotels, an aquarium, a yacht club and marina, an extensive children’s entertainment village, a retail and boutique shop district, restaurants, cafes and a marine heritage visitor centre. The project will also include an arts, crafts and organic farmers market called Emporium.
Highlighting the vision for the new development, Zoltan Kali, chief strategy officer at Omran, said: “While it is primarily designed to become a hub for the community by adding new recreational and leisure activities for locals that reflect the authentic heritage of the old port, it will also be a big draw for international visitors. Comparable international examples prove that tourists are attracted to urban destinations that are popular amongst the local community.”
Omran’s chief investment officer Salah Al Ghazali said: “This really is a project of national significance, and will be considered as one of the prime visitor destinations in the region when Phase One opens by 2020 ahead of World Expo in Dubai.”
Al Ghazali said the expo will bring an additional 25 million visitors to Dubai, located in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates, and pledged Omran will be ready to take advantage of the influx of international tourism to the region.
“By taking a position in the waterfront development, investors clearly understand the attractive and enduring returns on offer with this state backed project,” he said. “In this era of low interest rates, and low returns on more traditional investments, investors are looking for new markets and avenues to provide healthy and secure sustainable and recurring returns.
“International hotel operators have clearly taken notice of this potential, and we’re pleased to be talking with some of the leading names in the industry to operate our iconic waterfront hotels.”
Omran said project funding will be secured in July 2016 to coincide with the start of construction.
Design architecture Oman tourism waterfront development hotels luxury Hyatt Hilton Mandarin Oriental Four Seasons Banyan Tree DubaiTraditional Omani design reigns at Al Bustan Palace Six Senses spa
Dusit’s new Oman property to have views of snow village and aquarium
Alila Salalah resort in Oman to open in Q3 of 2017 with interiors by Blink Design
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
BodyHoliday plans 10-15 locations in the next 15 years
Floating wellbeing destination planned for London’s Royal Docks
Aman Group to open second Janu in Dubai with inaugural Janu Club
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
