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Seated (Left to Right) Mr. Rani Gharbie, Director – Development, |
OMRAN, the Government of Oman's tourism & development executive arm, and IHG have announced the signing of an agreement to develop Crowne Plaza Duqum Resort, the second Crowne Plaza resort in the Sultanate of Oman. Present at the signing were the Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of OMRAN, HE Dr Rajha Abdul Ameer Ali, and John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East and Africa. Also present from Omran were Eng. Wael Al Lawati, CEO and Mr. Prakash Gabra, CFO. While from IHG Mr. Rani Gharbié, Director of Development Middle East & Africa and Mr. David Todd, GM Crowne Plaza Muscat were also present.
Crowne Plaza Duqum Resort, which is scheduled to open in 2011, and will consist of 228 well-appointed rooms - which will include 11 spacious executive suites and six family/junior suites. The property is in close proximity to Duqum town on the Arabian Sea, which is reinventing itself as Oman's next major industrial and commercial hub.
Commenting on the signing, John Bamsey said: "We are extremely honoured to be partnering with OMRAN once again for the development of Crowne Plaza Duqum Resort. We already operate other government owned properties in Oman - Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat, InterContinental Muscat and Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah - and our collaboration on the Duqum project further demonstrates our long-standing relationship with OMRAN and our commitment to cooperate on future development opportunities within Oman. Crowne Plaza Duqum Resort is the first hotel to be built in the initial construction phase of Duqum's expansion and will mainly cater to the increasing business travellers into the area - consultants, contractors, investors and project managers - looking for high levels of service in close proximity to their place of business."
The new Crowne Plaza hotel will feature several diverse dining options including a speciality dining restaurant, an all day dining restaurant, a seafood grill/pool bar and a lobby lounge. In addition, the property will offer a complete fitness centre with the latest in high-tech equipment, a spa, and tennis courts - all of which will give business guests the opportunity to mix business with pleasure.
