Initial work on stage one of the Ras Al Hadd tourism project in Oman will begin soon through a joint venture between the sultanate’s government, represented by Omran and Al Diar Real Estate Investment company of Qatar, said a report.

The project, which will stretch over 1.8 million sq m, is part of a comprehensive strategy to develop the sultanate’s tourism sector and contribute to the efforts made by the government to diversify sources of national economy, Oman News Agency reported.

Darwish bin Ismaeel al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, Deputy Chairman of Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), said that the first stage of the multi-phase project, which will cost OMR250 million ($647.8 million), will be initiated during the first quarter of this year.

Being developed in four phases, Phase I includes establishment of a 100-room eco-themed resort, 50 hotel villas, 150 residential villas and a 7,000 sq m area. This phase is targeted for completion by the end of 2018, the report said.

Phase II will add 100 new five-star hotel rooms to the resort, as well as an additional 196 residential villas, and a dedicated centre for wildlife preservation and an observation park set over a 10,000 sq m area.

The third phase will see the construction of a separate 200-room five-star resort, an additional 50 hotel villas and 179 residential villas, as well as the development of a new market area covering 16,000 sq m, and the construction of a specialised marine life park, it said.

The final phase of the project will witness the opening of a 150-room five-star hotel, 50 hotel villas, 175 new residential villas, as well as the construction of a dedicated heritage village, and a specialised staff accommodation zone to accommodate 836 employees.