The Ascott, a leading serviced residence owner-operator, has secured a contract to manage its first Citadines Apart’hotel in Oman.

The management agreement for Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat was awarded to Ascott by Mohammed Hamed Salem Al Ruzaiqy, chairman of Al Ruzaiqi Group of Companies.

“We are extremely pleased to enter into this management agreement with Ascott, internationally renowned for its brands, management and service excellence. We are confident that the Citadines Apart’Hotel brand is perfectly in line with Oman’s growth of leisure, commercial and extended-stay tourists visiting Muscat,” Al Ruzaiqy said.

Located close to Muscat’s main artery (Sultan Qaboos Road) linking Muscat International Airport to Ruwi Central Business District, the new hotel is slated to open in 2016.

Residents can choose from a range of studios and one bedroom apartments, fully-equipped kitchens, living areas and separate workspaces. Guests can enjoy an array of amenities such as swimming pool, fitness gymnasium, breakfast lounge, residents’ lounge and internet corner to cater to their work and recreational needs.

Tony Soh, Ascott’s chief corporate officer and head of the GCC and Turkey region, said: “This will be the third Citadines in the region, one of our fastest growing brands with more 12,000 units in 81 properties and 52 cities across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region. With the fast-growing middle class and the rise of low-cost air travel, we are seeing more independent travellers who enjoy the flexibility to choose the services according to their lifestyles.”

Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s chief executive officer, said: “Ascott has been expanding aggressively to achieve our milestone of 40,000 units globally ahead of schedule. This year, Ascott has so far added 17 properties in China, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, Oman and the UAE. We also opened eight properties with another 15 more to open in China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Oman and Saudi Arabia this year. Such an expansive growth demands an intimate understanding of the market and an ability to establish the right local alliances. To double our portfolio to 80,000 units by 2020, our strategy is to expand through investments, management contracts, strategic alliances and franchises.” – TradeArabia News Service