Damac International has been selected by the Oman government to develop its Port Sultan Qaboos into a US$ 1 billion integrated tourist port and lifestyle waterfront destination that will include hotels, residences, dining and retail offerings.
The Mina Sultan Qaboos Waterfront project will be handled by Damac through a joint venture with Omran, the government's investment body.
Hussain Sajwani, chairman of Damac Properties, and His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, deputy chairman of the Supreme Council for Planning, Minister of Commerce & Industry and chairman of Omran, signed a memorandum of understanding in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Futaisi, minister of transport & communications and Omran board member, as well as other Omran board members and key dignitaries.
Damac was chosen by Omran for its experience in developing residential and leisure projects in the Gulf and internationally.
This historic agreement reflects the vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to transform Oman into a world-class tourism and investment destination, said Sajwani. As the second largest developer in the region and with a strong record of international experience, Damac is ideally positioned as the joint development partner of Omran.
As part of its commitment to the project, Damac will contribute to the local road infrastructure, improving opportunities for local SMEs and Omani nationals, as well as enhancing the economic and social standing of the community as a whole.
H.E. Dr. Ali Al Sunaidy said: Mina Sultan Qaboos Waterfront is based in the 200-year old historical centre of commerce in Muscat and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Oman. The redevelopment of the port by Omran will build renewed interest and focus to the area, while creating a strong investment proposition for the tourism, real estate and leisure industries.
H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Futaisi commented: The transformation of the port into a thriving economic and tourist hub stems from His Majesty's vision to move commercial port activity to Port Sohar, paving the way for the redevelopment of the port into an integrated tourist hub.
As of March 31, 2017, Damac Properties has a development portfolio of over 44,000 units at various stages of progress and planning, comprising more than 13,000 hotel rooms, serviced apartments and hotel villas, which will be managed by its hospitality arm, Damac Hotels & Resorts.
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Showing posts with label Oman Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oman Adventure. Show all posts
Tuesday, 27 June 2017
Monday, 26 June 2017
OMAN: e-visa Portal Launched By Sultanate of Oman
The Sultanate of Oman has launched an e-visa process, which in its first phase in being made available for 67 tourist countries and up to 116 professions.
The project is aimed at speeding up the application and fee payment process through an online portal, and link it with relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Manpower with regards to work-permits, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in relation to the validity of the commercial register and the Ministry of Civil Service in respect of government visas for foreign civil servants.
The new project currently has two visa types,tourist and residence visas, Hilal bin Ahmed al- Busaidi, director general of passports and residency said that work is underway for the GCC residents list.
Once the next phase has been implemented, it is expected that all nationalities will be allowed to apply online.
This new system will also allow hotels, travel agents, and tour operators apply for e-visas for their guests online, via the Royal Oman Police (ROP) website, with the fees remaining the same.
Oman's tourism sector saw three million tourists enter the country in 2016, with predictions that it will reach 4.7 million by 2020, reported the state's news agency.
Meanwhile,Indian Ocean Islands are fast becoming the new hotspot for Arab travellers, as bookings to the nearby tropics flood in, according to regional travel agents.
Figures from the Maldives Tourism Board say trips to the Islamic country by Arab tourists rose more than 22 percent between 2009 and 2010, despite the impact of the global financial crisis.
Holidays to the Seychelles by Middle East travellers have also surged, official data shows, with visits from GCC residents by the end of September this year beating those recorded for the whole of 2010.
Located on the East of Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands including Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives and Madagascar, offer a tropical climate all year round, and have long been popular among holiday-makers and honeymooners around the world.
“We’re talking about [growth of] 15 to 25 percent a year in holidays to the Indian Ocean Islands,” said Frederic Bardin, senior vice president at Emirates Holidays. “Good year, bad year, it doesn’t matter, people just want to go there.
I think there are a lot of Arabs who have just recently discovered the region.
The top destinations for Arabs are still in Europe, but the Seychelles is probably creeping into the top 10 now.
Basel Abu Alrub, managing director of Dubai-based travel agency U travel, said GCC residents are attracted to the region Islands for its close proximity to the Gulf, and ability to accommodate Islamic customs.
Proximity is a big factor, as the islands are only four hours away.
Islam is also spread in some of the islands, which appeals to the GCC traveller and makes them feel at home.
Many hotel properties offer Al Hilal food, and they also recognise that privacy is an issue.”
Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi’s flagship carrier Etihad Airways launched its first flights from the UAE to the Maldives and the Seychelles, in a bid to tap into the growing market.
Company executives said the destinations were “highly desirable” among Arab travellers, making flight connectivity to the region “fundamental” for Etihad’s growth.
In March, Dubai-based Emirates Airline announced a 100 percent increase in the frequency of flights between Dubai and the Seychelles, with as many as 14 flights per week expected by the end of the year.
As compared to January 2010, we are increasing the capacity between Dubai and the Seychelles by 350 percent, said Majid Al Mualla, senior vice president, Commercial Operations - West Asia and Indian Ocean.
The increase in frequency is the fruit of all our efforts and investment in promoting the Seychelles across our network. Our recent campaigns have stepped up demand for the route as well as opened up new feeder markets.
Travel agents expect that airlines will further boost the number of flights to the region in the coming years, increasing demand for new hotel properties.
The number of Arab visitors to the region will continue to increase in the range of 15-20 percent, Alrub said, boosting the need for mid-level properties in particular.
The project is aimed at speeding up the application and fee payment process through an online portal, and link it with relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Manpower with regards to work-permits, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in relation to the validity of the commercial register and the Ministry of Civil Service in respect of government visas for foreign civil servants.
The new project currently has two visa types,tourist and residence visas, Hilal bin Ahmed al- Busaidi, director general of passports and residency said that work is underway for the GCC residents list.
Once the next phase has been implemented, it is expected that all nationalities will be allowed to apply online.
This new system will also allow hotels, travel agents, and tour operators apply for e-visas for their guests online, via the Royal Oman Police (ROP) website, with the fees remaining the same.
Oman's tourism sector saw three million tourists enter the country in 2016, with predictions that it will reach 4.7 million by 2020, reported the state's news agency.
Meanwhile,Indian Ocean Islands are fast becoming the new hotspot for Arab travellers, as bookings to the nearby tropics flood in, according to regional travel agents.
Figures from the Maldives Tourism Board say trips to the Islamic country by Arab tourists rose more than 22 percent between 2009 and 2010, despite the impact of the global financial crisis.
Holidays to the Seychelles by Middle East travellers have also surged, official data shows, with visits from GCC residents by the end of September this year beating those recorded for the whole of 2010.
Located on the East of Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands including Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives and Madagascar, offer a tropical climate all year round, and have long been popular among holiday-makers and honeymooners around the world.
“We’re talking about [growth of] 15 to 25 percent a year in holidays to the Indian Ocean Islands,” said Frederic Bardin, senior vice president at Emirates Holidays. “Good year, bad year, it doesn’t matter, people just want to go there.
I think there are a lot of Arabs who have just recently discovered the region.
The top destinations for Arabs are still in Europe, but the Seychelles is probably creeping into the top 10 now.
Basel Abu Alrub, managing director of Dubai-based travel agency U travel, said GCC residents are attracted to the region Islands for its close proximity to the Gulf, and ability to accommodate Islamic customs.
Proximity is a big factor, as the islands are only four hours away.
Islam is also spread in some of the islands, which appeals to the GCC traveller and makes them feel at home.
Many hotel properties offer Al Hilal food, and they also recognise that privacy is an issue.”
Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi’s flagship carrier Etihad Airways launched its first flights from the UAE to the Maldives and the Seychelles, in a bid to tap into the growing market.
Company executives said the destinations were “highly desirable” among Arab travellers, making flight connectivity to the region “fundamental” for Etihad’s growth.
In March, Dubai-based Emirates Airline announced a 100 percent increase in the frequency of flights between Dubai and the Seychelles, with as many as 14 flights per week expected by the end of the year.
As compared to January 2010, we are increasing the capacity between Dubai and the Seychelles by 350 percent, said Majid Al Mualla, senior vice president, Commercial Operations - West Asia and Indian Ocean.
The increase in frequency is the fruit of all our efforts and investment in promoting the Seychelles across our network. Our recent campaigns have stepped up demand for the route as well as opened up new feeder markets.
Travel agents expect that airlines will further boost the number of flights to the region in the coming years, increasing demand for new hotel properties.
The number of Arab visitors to the region will continue to increase in the range of 15-20 percent, Alrub said, boosting the need for mid-level properties in particular.
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