Oman plans US $1bn tourist resort with four hotels

Oman's Ominvest is planning to build a US $1 billion tourism resort with four hotels in the southern port city of Salalah, the company's chairman told Reuters on Wednesday.

Company chairman Hani Al Zubair said the complex would boast four hotels and housing units, which would be offered for sale to both Omani and international investors.

Although Zubair kept the details under wraps, he did confirm that the cost of the resort would be $1 billion and that the construction would begin at the end of the year or early 2011.

He added: "We are building a complete town that caters to both local and international visitors."

The news adds growing momentum to Oman’s tourism offering, which is seeing a surge in tourism opportunities with the expansion of Oman Air and new routes to key markets.