Qatari Diar, a property arm of the country's sovereign wealth fund, has signed an agreement with the Oman government to develop a eco-themed tourism project on a 1.85-million-sq-m area of land in the sultanate at a cost of RO250 million ($647 million).

The project, which is coming up in South Al Sharqiyah governorate, is being developed by Qatari Diar Ras Al Hadd Development Company, a newly-established entity jointly owned by the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) and Qatari Diar Company.

To be developed in three phases, the project will boast several unique tourist attractions within the master plan, including a wildlife preservation and observation park, a marine life park, and a heritage village which will celebrate the rich history of Omani culture surrounding Ras Al Hadd area.

The first phase will see the establishment of a 100-room eco-themed resort, 50 hotel villas, 150 residential villas and a 7,000-sq-m suq by the end of 2018, it added.

The second phase of the development involves the addition of 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.

In the third phase, Qatari Diar Ras Al Hadd Development Company will develop a separate 200-room 5 star resort, an additional 50 hotel villas and 179 residential villas, as well as a new market area covering 16,000 sq m.

A major highlight will be the development of a specialised marine life park in the facility, it added.

The final phase 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 accommodation zone for support staff with a capacity for 836 employees.

The Ras Al Hadd project marks only the beginning of a new chapter of co-operation in the tourism sector between Qatar and Oman, said Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrazi, Minister of Tourism and board member of Omran, after signing the deal with Ali Shareef Al Emadi, the Qatar Minister of Finance and chairman of Qatari Diar Company.

According to him, the project forms part of a comprehensive government growth strategy aimed at developing the tourism sector in Oman.

"The development fully caters to emerging trends in the tourism sector globally, and once completed will provide tourists and visitors with a stunning insight into the unique wildlife in the region, as well as generate broader economic opportunities for tourism sector in the Sultanate," stated Al Mahrazi.

"We are confident that the Ras Al Hadd development will be implemented based on the highest global standards and will prove to be a quality addition to the growing tourism sector in Oman, further enhancing our competitiveness globally," he added.

Al Emadi pointed out that the agreement was part of the Qatari government's plan to promote investment in Oman in order to serve the common interests between the Gulf countries.

"We hope that this great project will be the beginning of a new era of co-operation in developing the tourism and economic sectors between the two brotherly countries," he added.

Wael Al Lawati, the CEO of Omran, said: "Ras Al Hadd has a fantastic growth potential as a destination for local, regional and international tourists to discover the stunning wildlife of the region, and to experience the history and hospitality of Omani culture."

"The resort and residential developments, as well as the attractions, firmly adhere to the core themes of sustainability and responsible tourism management. These principles are based on joining hands with the local community, both in terms of job creation as well as preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of the area, and safeguarding the environment for future generations to enjoy," noted Al Lawati.

The Ras Al Hadd project will make a significant contribution towards maintaining the continued growth in our tourism sector by providing a new and truly unique destination within the sultanate,” he added.

Khalid Mohammed Al Sayed, the group CEO of Qatari Diar, said: "We will not stop at the Ras Al Hadd project, but this project will be the first of a series of unique projects that we want to implement here in Oman, a country that is moving rapidly towards upscale and unique tourism."-TradeArabia News Service