Oman's Royal Opera House due to open in late 2011

The Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman is scheduled for completion in late 2011, the Sultanate’s Ministry of Tourism has revealed.

Salem Al Mamari, director general of tourism promotions, said the Royal Opera House “will become an iconic building for Oman and a world-class venue for performing arts”.

The building is designed by WATG and features a grand marble staircase, marble columns, and elaborately carved teak timber screens.

The Royal Opera House, which has already organised a series of events to be held at Al Bustan Palace in the last quarter of the year, will soon release a programme of performances leading up to the official opening.

The opening of the performing arts venue is part of the Ministry’s tourism and hospitality drive in 2011, which has already seen several hotels open across the country including the Sahab Hotel at Jabal Akhdar and the Sifawy Boutique Hotel at Jebel Sifah, which opened in June.

“The launch of new resorts and hotels will be welcome developments as demand can be very overwhelming during peak seasons,” said Al Mamari.

“We also need to broaden the base of mid-range and budget hotels as this segment is attracting more patrons,” he added.

In Muscat, the 268-room City Seasons Hotel Muscat and the 153-room Golden Tulip Inn in Al Khuwair opened earlier this year.

The Ministry said several mid-range and budget hotels would open in late 2011, including the Swiss-Belhotel in Muscat’s cultural and sports district.

In total, 1400 rooms are expected to enter the Oman hotel market in 2011.