Oman Economic Review – July 2019

10 July 2019

New lifestyle

destination

W Muscat’s recent opening adds 279 five-star keys

to the country’s hospitality sector

U

nder the patronage of HE

Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi,

Minister responsible for

Financial Affairs, Oman Tourism

Development Company (Omran), the

Sultanate’s executive arm for tourism

development, announced the official

opening of the W Hotel Muscat recently.

The opening ceremony took place at the

new five-star hotel in Shatti Al Qurum

area and was attended by members of

the royal family, high-level government

and private sector officials and media

representatives.

The opening of W Muscat reflects

Omran’s strategic role to create

sustainable tourism assets, lifestyle

communities and destinations that play

a major role in the national economic

diversification agenda.

Hailed as a world-class addition to

Muscat’s beachside lifestyle at Shatti

Al Qurum and next to the Royal Opera

House Muscat, the W Muscat will cater

to the growing demand for luxury

tourism in the region. Its much-

anticipated opening adds 279 five-star

keys to the country’s hospitality sector,

each boasting sea views and finished

with design references to the diverse

beauty of Oman and its heritage.

HE Darwish Al Balushi said, “We

applaud Omran for delivering this

unique architectural landmark and for

its continuous efforts in developing au-

thentic and modern tourism assets. This

achievement reflects Omran’s dedication

in developing the tourism infrastructure

to support the growth and diversifica-

tion of the national economy and create

increasing number of job opportunities,

in line with the national tourism strategy

and Oman’s national Vision 2040”

“Undoubtedly, through unique projects,

like the W Muscat, Oman will continue to

attract various investors and increasing

numbers of local and international

tourists who are eager to explore Oman’s

IN THE NEWS

diverse natural and cultural beauty,” HE

Al Balushi commented.

“W Muscat is a proud addition to

Omran’s growing hospitality portfolio

and will set a new benchmark as a

vibrant lifestyle destination, not only for

Oman but for the whole region”, said

Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Omran.

“With the launch of the W Muscat we

have already created over 100 new

jobs for Omani’s and this number

will increase as we ramp up the hotel

operation towards the peak winter

season,” Walichnowski added.

The luxury hotel’s exceptional facilities

include an exquisite ballroom with

a capacity of 310 people, creating

an intimate, cozy atmosphere for

corporate and private functions. A 1,

square-meter swimming pool offers

uninterrupted panoramic sea views, and

seven high-end dining options provide

food connoisseurs with unparalleled

culinary experiences. It also houses a

modern fitness centre, as well as the W’s

signature Away Spa, offering visitors a

tranquil haven in the center of the city.

“We are excited to partner with Omran

to bring the playful energy and vibe of

W Hotels to Muscat and create a new

lifestyle destination in Oman,” said Alex

Kyriakidis, president and managing

director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott

International. “W Muscat is a significant

addition to our rapidly growing portfolio

in the Sultanate and a testament to our

commitment towards advancing and

supporting tourism in the country. With

its bold design, distinctive dining venues

and amplified programming, we are con-

fident that W Muscat will radically trans-

form the hospitality scene in Muscat and

soon emerge as a sought-after escape for

global jetsetters and local residents.”

Omran worked closely with leading

local and international consultants for

the development, design and delivery

of the project to ensure that the W

Hotel brand’s core values based on

music, fashion and design are reflected

throughout. The result is a vibrant

yet opulent hotel, aligning with the

performing arts of the Royal Opera

House, Muscat.