$1 bn mixed-use tourism development unveiled in Qurayyat

Mega venture: 1.3 million sq metre Al-Sahel project includes 3 hotels, backwater park, 4000 housing units, boulevard walkway, an equestrian club and golf academy

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT, NOV 24

To mark the 51st National Day of the Renaissance, Qurayyat Development Company unveiled the commercial identity of the Al Sahel tourism project in Wilayat of Qurayyat, Muscat Governorate.

Al Sahel District, a mixed use development covering a total area of 1.3 million sq metres, is proposed to be implemented in three phase at a total cost of around $1 billion.

Phase 1 to be developed at a cost of RO 40 million ($100 million approx.), will cover the infrastructure of the entire project, as well as 400 housing units, a 4-star hotel of 220 rooms including 100 chalets, as well as a residential commercial neighbourhood on a boulevard on an area of 53,000 sq metres, green houses, a walkway for bicycles and halls.

The first phase also includes an air park, a number of restaurants with a stunning view of the components of the project, which aims at highlighting the heritage identity of Wilayat of Qurayyat, in addition to an equestrian and camel riding club and recreational and commercial facilities. These will be the main attraction of the project in terms of entertainment.

The second phase, which is the largest phase of the project, will include 1600 housing units, a large mosque on an area of approximately 10,000 square metres, and a 3-star hotel of 150 rooms. Also in the second phase, an expansion of the first 4-star hotel will see the addition of 120 rooms and suites on the waterfront. The second phase also includes the development of a golf academy on a total area of approximately 250,000 sq metres, which will attract important global sports attractions.

In the third and final phase, an additional 3,000 housing units comprising a variety of apartments and villas will be addition in addition to 36 luxury villas at the waterfront of the project. A further 180 new rooms will be added to the 3-star hotel, with a new 5-star hotel with 200 rooms to be constructed as well.

The launch ceremony was under held under the auspices of Shaikh Dr Yahya bin Suleiman al Nadabi, Wali of Qurayyat , in the presence of a number of officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Qurayyat Development Company and from Al-Madina Real Estate Company, the main developer of the project. The Wali of Qurayyat stressed on the importance of the project in reviving the tourism and economic potential of the wilayat in harmony with the growth of the Sultanate of Oman.

Shaikh Hilal bin Khalid al Mawali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qurayyat Development Company, said Al-Sahel District project will be the first integrated tourism project with comprehensive services and facilities the wilayat.

Eng Khamis bin Mubarak al Kiyumi, Chairman of Al Madina Real Estate Company stated: “We at Al Madina Real Estate Company are proud to be the main developer of Sahel project , as the design of this pioneering project combines of modernity and authentic Omani architecture ,where the visitor and the tourist can touch the Omani features wherever they wander around the project, which extends over an area of 1.3 million square metre.”

The project also includes enhancing the use of the fishing port and developing a floating berth to receive ferries and yachts.

Sami bin Said al Nabhani, Director of Business Development at Al Madina Real Estate Company, said the marketing of housing units to Omanis and non-Omanis will be outlined during the launch of the marketing strategy, with priority given to people of the Wilayat of Qurayyat and its neighboring areas.