70 hotel projects to open this year in Oman

70 hotel projects to open this year in Oman

Nearly 70 new hotel facilities are expected to open this year, which will add 4,500 rooms to the market.

The new project will offer a wide portfolio of resorts, hotels, camps and apartments, and heritage and eco accommodations.

According to Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director-General of Tourism Promotion, foreign investors can have full ownership, except in certain strategic areas.

The government also plans to offer incentives to investors, such as the exemption from the rental value of the project for a period of up to five years, starting from the date of signing the contract between the ministry and the investors. The rental value is calculated based on the actually used area of the project land, provided that it is not less than 50 per cent of the total area.

Lands will be granted to investors through usufruct contracts for a period ranging from 25-50 years, subject to extension for a similar period.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism urged internal travellers to take liberal policies that exempt citizens of 103 countries from visas for stays of up to 14 days. Of these, citizens of 26 countries can enter Oman visa-free subject to certain regulations.

The ministry said it is working closely with the