Rotana has signed a management agreement with Golden Group Holding, a diversified Oman-based business group for a new hotel project in Muscat, Oman.

The agreement was signed by Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of Rotana, and Salim bin Ahmed Al Ghazali, chairman of Golden Group Holding, at a ceremony held on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market.

The new hotel – named Al Mouj Rayhaan by Rotana – will be located within the landmark Al Mouj development, an integrated tourist complex spread along a stunning six-km stretch of Muscat’s coastline and comprising a mix of hotels, luxury residential properties, retail and dining facilities and a private yachting hub in addition to Oman’s only signature PGA-standard 18-hole links golf course, designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman.

Al Mouj Rayhaan by Rotana will feature 250 beautifully appointed rooms, suites and apartments along with world-class amenities and services.

Located in a prime sea front location designed to meet diverse guest needs, the property is scheduled to open before 2020.

The management agreement for Al Mouj Rayhaan by Rotana further strengthens the strategic relationship between Rotana and GGH; the two companies had earlier in 2015 signed an agreement for the development of five new hotels in Oman.

“The agreement marks the continuation of our valued partnership with GGH,” said Nasser Al Nowais.

“As one of the fastest growing tourism and hospitality markets in the region, Oman has everything going for it – from a rich history and spectacular landscapes to an increasingly diverse mix of top-class tourist attractions.

“Rotana has ambitious plans for the Oman market, with no less than nine hotels set to open in the Sultanate by 2020, and we are delighted to have a company of the stature, reputation and financial strength of GGH as a key strategic partner in our efforts to transform Oman’s hospitality landscape and continue our company’s expansion in the region.”

Inbound tourism to the sultanate rose by an average of 7.4 per cent per annum in the decade beginning 2005, and the Oman government has outlined plans to attract 1.4 million international visitors annually by 2019, up from 1.1 million in 2015.

Rotana is seeking to capitalize on the opportunities created by Oman’s renewed focus on developing its tourism and hospitality sector.

The tourism sector is expected to play an important role in driving economic development in Oman over the next years.

Recognising the economic importance of the tourism and hospitality sector, the Government of Oman is making significant investments in developing its tourism infrastructure and there are currently a number of major tourism projects underway across various parts of the country.

Tourism is also identified by the National Program for Enhancing Economic Diversification (Tanfeedh) as a core pillar in promoting diversified economic development.