MUSCAT — The investment by Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has reached RO 600 million and is spread over projects managed by the company in various governorates of the Sultanate. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Wael bin Ahmed al Lawati, CEO of Omran, gave details of the tourism projects developed by the company in different governorates, saying that the company has expanded in 2012 and this year tourism infrastructure in the Sultanate will cover all governorates in accordance with the government's economic vision to diversify the economy and strengthen the role of the private sector and promote tourism throughout the country.

He added that Omanisation levels in some hotels managed by the company has reached more than 50 per cent, adding that the company awarded contracts to Omani architects for interior design services for Musandam resort and other projects. Al Lawati said that the Oman Centre for Conferences and Exhibitions is one of the largest projects supervised by Omran, expecting that the centre, when completed in 2016, will host large meetings, conferences and will attract international and regional events.

He gave details of last year's projects, current ones and future plans that will contribute in achieving long lasting results on local development, jobs and stimulate economic growth, noting that among these projects is a joint venture between Omran and Orascom Hotels and Development to develop two projects in Sifa Mountain and Salalah Beach. He said that Omran has established in the Wilayat of Duqm a joint venture with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering/Oman for the construction of the first integrated residential complex in the Duqm.

The project is an integrated tourist complex consisting of 5-star hotels and five residential areas and a recreational club, shops and service facilities, in addition to other projects. Omran, which is tasked by the government to develop the tourism sector and manages investment projects, is a major player in actualising the government’s target of transforming the tourism sector into a main contributor to the national economy and a provider of jobs for Omanis.

Omran’s other projects include some of the largest development projects such as Oman Conference and Exhibition Centre and the company’s policy is to execute projects all across the Sultanate. The company has more than 20 projects at different stages of implementation, these include residential and tourism projects as well as hotels and resorts in various governorates.

Saraya Bandar Jissah is among a new integrated tourism complex, offering exclusive homes and two 5-star beachfront hotels, as well as recreational and community facilities, on a beautiful secluded beach surrounded by the Hajjar Mountains, just East of Muscat. With villas, apartments and hotels, the development is positioned sympathetically amongst 2.2 million square metres of undulating hillsides.

The project is being developed by Oman’s tourism development and investment arm, Omran, in partnership with Saraya Oman, a subsidiary of Saraya Holdings, and the leading international development company. Construction has now started on site, with the advanced earthworks package under way, after an extensive environmental impact assessment, which resulted in wide-ranging archaeological protection work.