RCI has signed an agreement with Allied Oman, the leisure real estate enterprise owned by Salim Ali Nasser Aliyabi, to affiliate the timeshare project at the Barka Resort.

The Barka Resort is located 60km to the east of the Oman capital, Muscat. The 129,000 sq m development consists of 65 units with a further 131 residential units intended for a rental programme.

Inspired by traditional Arabian architecture, each apartment will be luxuriously appointed with a full range of appliances and modern amenities. Set for completion in 2009, the development targets the broader GCC and expatriate communities. With easy access to the capital’s airport at Seeb, only a 40-minute drive away, guests will experience the distinctive flavour of Omani hospitality amidst a landscaped rural community that is adjacent to the beach, the company said.

Residents will benefit from free access to a beach club and the facilities of a 200-room five-star hotel being built within the same development. An extensive range of amenities and concierge services will be available, including a spa, country club, cinema and a selection of restaurants. Sports facilities, swimming pools and water attractions add to its appeal as a family oriented resort.

It’s close to the famous Omani heritage site of Barka Fort, the beautiful springs at Nakhal and even a local Ostrich farm.“The Barka Resort is an excellent example of how Group RCI has the potential to add value to a developer’s project,” said Nick Turner, managing director of Group RCI in the Middle East. “With our regional network of customer service centers we offer Allied Oman the opportunity of distribution through a global network. We recognise the potential of the Omani market and appreciate what makes it distinctive in the developing tourist market.”—TradeArabia News Service