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25.5 per cent respectively while Asians, Europeans and Americans saw similar rises of 14.2 per cent, 14.3 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. Although the occupancy rates in both five star and four star hotels dipped slightly, the statistics remained healthy and on the higher side of 44.9 per cent and 50.9 per cent respectively. (Note: at the time of print, these statics were available until the end of August and by the end of the year could reflect different numbers.) In 2011, Oman really upped its tourism and hospitality momentum with regard to the opening of new places of attraction and a record number of tourism and leisure properties. Along with the opening of 1400 new hotel rooms, Oman also saw the inauguration of the Royal Opera House Muscat – a historic landmark of sorts. Among the new boutique hotels, Muriya’s Sifawy Marina Boutique Hotel launched in Jebel Sifah has been one of the most prominent launches this year. The Sifawy Boutique Hotel marks Muriya’s foray into the hospitality industry and crowns its strong presence in the market as a reliable developer and builder. Its reputation as a prominent player in the Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) sector has been strengthened recently with the handing over of its luxurious apartments at Jebel Sifah. Located in the heart of the picturesque Marina Town, which will be the resort’s main entertainment hub with a range of restaurants, cafés, shopping avenues and nightlife activities, it is all set to welcome guests at its 55 elegantly appointed guestrooms – 25 standard rooms, 30 fully furnished suites and three suites equipped for physically challenged guests. All rooms have private balconies with comfortable seating, overlooking the beautiful marina or the swimming pool. Marina Suite guests may also avail the services of a private butler. 14 DOSSIER GUIDE TO FOOD & HOTEL 2011-12
The Hotel, designed by renowned Italian architect Alfredo Freda, is equipped with all the essential amenities and services, catering to even the most discerning guests. It has on offer a wide range of activities and excursions, including a large swimming pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, fitness centre and treatment room. The ambience within the Hotel is warm and friendly, reflecting Oman’s typical hospitality. Having already established 80 per cent Omanisation, it is all set to welcome guests to an experience that is a contemporary blend of European design with a strong essence of traditional Omani influence – in concept as well as service. For guests and visitors looking for a slice of serenity in a nature created haven, Jebel Sifah is the place to be. Spread over an area of 6.2 million square meters with luxurious residences of diverse and distinct styles, a 100-berth marina and marina town, an 18-hole Golf Course, other retail venues and food outlets, etc. Apart from this several boutique properties such as the Platinum and Rotana Hotels opened late last year, and 2011 began with the unveiling of the City Seasons Hotel Muscat (268 fourstar rooms, three restaurants and three banquet halls) and the 153-room Golden Tulip Inn in Al Khuwair. Several midrange and budget hotels are also said to be opening in late 2011 including the Swiss-Belhotel in Muscat’s cultural and sports district. Holiday Inn Seeb, a four star development (176 rooms), Millennium Resort Musannah, yet another four star development (234 rooms and 74 apartments) and Salalah Beach Resort Hotel (50 rooms) are further additions to Oman’s tourism development. On the horizon, Crowne Plaza Duqm Hotel a 4-star beachfront business hotel to serve the development of world-class industrial and commercial facilities in the new town of Duqm, holds much promise. Expected to open in the
fourth quarter of 2012, the hotel will be developed in traditional Omani style and will include 218 deluxe rooms. The hotel will provide a diverse range of dining options featuring an all-day dining restaurant, seafood grill, pool bar and a lobby lounge. Leisure facilities will include a fitness centre and exterior pool. Business needs will be fully serviced by a business centre, ballroom and full state-of-the-art meeting and conferencing facilities. Omran, which is mandated by the Government of Oman to deliver major projects and manage tourism assets and investments, has also spearheaded the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, a major new project which will become one of the region’s leading facilities for conferences and exhibitions. The key components of the centre include an auditorium with total seating capacity for 3,000 people, exhibition halls with 25,000sqm exhibition space and with the ability to seat 10,000 people in the first phase. The development will also have banquet halls, meeting space, 85,000sqm of office space in a grade-A business park, four hotels with a total of 1,000 rooms and a large shopping mall. Oman’s first international-standard convention centre which represents a major investment by Omran, this will allow Muscat to become a regional destination serving the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) sector, providing an additional boost to Oman’s fast-growing tourism and hospitality industry. Yet another feather in Oman’s tourism cap would be the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM), Oman’s premier venue for musical arts and culture. Officially inaugurated on October 12, 2011, with a production of Turandot, conducted by Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo, and is believed to ‘change the way the arts are viewed and practiced’ in the Sultanate. The Royal Opera House reflects contemporary Omani architecture, and