InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the world’s largest hotel group by selection of rooms, today announced that it has signed an agreement with the Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC (Omran) to open Crowne Plaza Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Muscat.
The 296-room hotel could be the second Crowne Plaza hotel within the Capital and the fourth Crowne Plaza hotel in Oman. The recent-build property will feature extensive meeting and event facilities with a separate function centre a good way to include a glamorous ballroom with terrace, a boardroom and 3 large meeting rooms.
The hotel can even take advantage of five food and beverage outlets, including a rooftop restaurant where guests should be ready to absorb picturesque Muscat views. Extensive leisure and fitness facilities add to the hotel’s appeal: private outdoor relaxation zones with male and female Jacuzzi pools, 150 square metre fitness zone, two pools and a children’s playground.
The new property is part of Omran’s Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) development that’s due for completion in 2016. Just 10 minutes from Muscat International Airport, the mixed-use, purpose-built precinct will feature a state-of-the-art exhibition centre with 22,000m² of exhibition space. The OCEC overlooks a Wadi (a natural waterway) and extensive parklands, and also will include a shopping centre and grade-A business park, making it a fantastic travel destination for both the business and leisure traveller.
Speaking on the signing ceremony, H.E. Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, Chairman of Omran said, “Today marks a pivotal milestone within the development of the much anticipated OCEC as we sign with the 1st hotel operator to deal with one among a chain of planned hotels to enrich this mega project. By formalizing this agreement with our preferred and trusted partner IHG to function the 5-star facility, we’re taking another leap forward to set up the Sultanate as a favoured destination for the regional and global meetings and exhibitions industry.”
He added, “Based on our existing relations with IHG, we’re confident that they’re going to continue to grasp our mission of delivering memorable hospitality assets that experience a favorable direct and indirect social and economic impact on local communities.”
Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East and Africa for IHG, said: “Omran’s Convention and Exhibition Centre is ready to lay Muscat at the MICE industry map. The alignment of the Crowne Plaza brand to the project makes perfect business sense for us – and for our guests, who can be capable of utilise OCEC’s world class facilities at their doorstep. We’re delighted to remain part of the Capital’s exciting expansion plans.”
Today’s signing marks IHG’s 8th property within the Sultanate of Oman, with four properties already operating within the cities of Muscat, Salalah and Sohar. There are four more properties in IHG’s pipeline for these cities, in addition Duqm.