Major projects with plans to add nearly 2,000 hotel rooms to the country’s three-, four- and five-star hotel inventory by the end of 2013 are currently underway in Oman, said an industry expert.

Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi, chairman of Sundus Investments and vice chairman of National Bank of Oman, highlighted the growth prospects of Oman’s hospitality sector, as part of a session titled: “Why Build a Hotel in Oman? Tapping into the Decision Making Process of a Hotel Owner”, at the recently concluded ninth Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (Ahic) in Dubai.

Al Ardhi shared outcomes of his strategic research and financial analysis on the investment opportunities in Oman during the conference. He also highlighted Sundus Investments’ role in furthering the nation’s ambitions of serving as a premier global tourism hub.

“In a dynamic economy such as Oman’s, tourism is a vital sector that offers lucrative investment opportunities,” said Al Ardhi.

“Sundus Investments is fortunate to have received an overwhelming support from government departments in its efforts to consolidate the country’s tourism offerings.

“We have recently signed an agreement with Rotana Hotel to shape iconic entertainment and retail developments and expand the hospitality landscape in the region. We are confident that Sundus and Rotana’s symbiotic partnership will significantly contribute towards achieving Oman’s Vision 2020.”

Oman’s Vision 2020 reinforces the government’s commitment to boosting the tourism sector to diversify the economy and stimulate comprehensive development.

Ahic is a leading hotel investment conference that gives business leaders from international and local markets the opportunity to connect across the region. With an advisory board that hosts over 40 regional industry leaders, this year’s event was themed ‘Connecting the Dots’ to reiterate Ahic’s core mission of ‘bringing together people and delivering knowledge’. – TradeArabia News Service