Muriya pumps $1 billion into Oman tourism projects

Oman's Muriya Tourism has announced an ambitious plan for $1 billion worth of tourism projects in the Sultanate over the next five years.

CEO Adil Taqa revealed to the Oman Tribune daily that the company intended to deliver four projects in Muscat and Dhofar.

Jebel Sifah will form the vanguard of this push, with three hotels delivered by 2014: one four-star property, and two five-stars hotels providing a combined total of 805 rooms.

Jebel Sifah will also be a retail destination with its soon-to-open Marina Town, of which 42 shops are now  ready to open.

The next stage of the project will take place in Dhofar: Salalah Beach, which will offer 500 rooms spread over the 15.6 million sq m space, encompassing shops, a marina front and five hotels.

Muriya Tourism is a joint venture between Egypt's Orascom Development and partially government-owned Omran. The firm also has investments in Muscat's upcoming City Walk project, as well as an 'eco-lodge' on As Sodah Island in Dhofar.