Business Reporter
MUSCAT, MAY 8
Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), leading hotel developer and owner mandated to develop the Sultanate’s tourism industry has announced the signing of a management agreement with AccorHotels, the world’s leading travel & lifestyle group, to open the first ibis Styles in Oman.
The 280-room economy ibis Styles Muscat will be strategically located within the new state-of-the-art Oman Convention & Exhibition Center (OCEC) master development in Madinat Al Irfan. Ibis Styles Muscat will be the first internationally branded economy hotel in the OCEC master development, strengthening AccorHotels’ presence in the Sultanate of Oman. The hotel aims to open in 2020.
Developed by Omran, OCEC is Oman’s largest and only dedicated meeting, conference, incentive and exhibition destination with advanced design and state of the art convention infrastructure. OCEC, opened over a year ago, forms part of phase one of the Madinat Al Irfan, a project aimed at establishing a new urban centre within Muscat. Omran developments within OCEC precinct are designed and built in accordance to sustainability principles meeting LEED standards in-line with AccorHotels’ Planet 21 programme.
Following the signing, Olivier Granet, Chief Executive Officer of AccorHotels Middle East and Africa (MEA), said: “As one of our most dynamic economy brands within our global portfolio, I am excited to announce that ibis Styles Muscat will be the first of its kind in Oman. What makes this so remarkable and relevant is that ibis Styles Muscat will be a perfect complement to the new state-of-the-art Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), with its value positioning, eclectic design and genuine hospitality, which will appeal to a wide range of clientele and will further widen the MICE market in this destination. He further added: “Our new partnership with Omran will also allow us to further explore growth opportunities and to contribute towards the development of the travel and tourism sector in the country.”
Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Omran, said: “This partnership with AccorHotels to introduce ibis Styles to the Sultanate of Oman remains in line with our wider strategy to grow and fully develop the tourism and travel sector in the country.
The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is positioning Muscat as a leading business tourism destination in the Middle East, opening the doors to travellers who have not had Muscat on their destination list before.
This will contribute to Oman’s overall economic growth through increased visitor spend and new job opportunities. We will work with AccorHotels in applying Omran’s Local Development Initiatives focused on enhancing in country value throughout the development and operations of the hotel.
As a brand, ibis Styles has been successful as an innovative, lifestyle driven mid-market hotel concept, targeting a demand segment that has a lot of unexplored potential in Muscat. We are confident that the brand will be well received by international and domestic, business and leisure-driven guests alike.”
Ibis Styles Muscat will be strategically located adjacent to the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, a 5-minute drive away from new Muscat International Airport, providing proximity and connectivity to the city’s key leisure and business districts.
The hotel will comprise of 280 standard rooms with design and amenities that reflect the spirit of ibis Styles. Guests will be able to enjoy a signature ibis Styles all-inclusive breakfast package at the all-day dining restaurant while savouring snacks and refreshments at the Sports bar.
Guests looking to focus on wellness will have access to gym and swimming pool facilities.
Ibis Styles Muscat OCEC joins AccorHotels’ award-winning ibis brand portfolio, along with ibis and ibis budget.
Ibis Styles properties are individually designed and driven by a unique story, reflecting the brand’s eclectic spirit to provide guests with a unique, modern and upbeat atmosphere. ibis Styles properties offer excellent value with the highest level of comfort through an all-inclusive package incorporating breakfast and Internet access.
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