Oman's hospitality industry is currently witnessing an encouraging phase not seen before. As more European tourists, particularly the well-heeled ones, evince interest in visiting and exploring Oman, the government has accelerated efforts to provide the necessary infrastructure, especially more hotel rooms.

Just a few years ago, tourists from the GCC and other countries had limited choice of hotels. Today, tourists have a wide range of choice of luxury hotels offering the best of packages and international facilities. This has helped increase the number of tourists. If the planned hotels are an indicator, the Omani hospitality sector is on the threshold of a new era of growth.

The setting up of Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, the new three-hotel complex at Barr al Jissah, heralds a welcome change. For Oman to push itself as a tourist hotspot, the country needs to come out of its "backwater in business tourism" shell and pursue the successful trends prevailing in neighbouring UAE and Qatar.

Industry experts opine that more than the right publicity and spending money on advertisement, it is the target audience which is important. Besides, the high target for Omanisation of the hospitality industry set out by the Ministry of Manpower can be met by selecting right candidates and providing proper induction by the employer. Efforts by the National Hospitality Industry, which is working closely with the Ministry of Manpower, are likely to pay off rich dividend in the long run.

Comparative studies reveal that hotels like Grand Hyatt averaged 85 per cent occupancy in 2005 as compared to75 per cent occupancy in 2004, Radisson SAS, Muscat averaged 95 per cent in 2005 as against 78 per cent in 2004, Golden Tulip Seeb averaged 76 per cent in 2005 as against 67 per cent in 2004.

Occupancy rates at Holiday Inn Muscat increased to more than 74 per cent in 2005 as against 67 per cent in 2004 while InterContinental Muscat achieved an occupancy rate of 72 per cent in 2005 as against 70 per cent in 2004. Bigger hotels like Sheraton Oman saw a huge rise in occupancy rates of 83 per cent 2005 as against 66 per cent in 2004. As the upward swing in tourism promises to continue, the hospitality sector is going to get stronger.

Business tourists from the GCC as well as European leisure tourists now find Oman a more endearing destination than any other in the Middle East. The Sultanate's natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, political stability and the world-class tourist facilities and infrastructure are key factors that draw more and more tourists every year.

Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa comprises the exclusive Al Husn ("The Castle" with 180 suites and guestrooms), Al Bandar ("The Town" with 198 rooms and extensive meeting facilities), and the family-oriented Al Waha ("The Oasis" with 302 rooms). All 680 rooms and suites are sea-facing and overlook a total of 580 m (1,900 ft) of beach.
The resort and spa is set in 50 hectares (124 acres) of landscaped gardens and exists 40-minute drive away from the international airport and 20 minutes from Muscat city. Located against a backdrop of rugged mountains and clean blue waters fronting the Gulf of Oman, the hotel provides tourists with the perfect serene settings for a blissful holiday. It also houses international facilities for conferences, seminars and business meets where tourists can combine business with pleasure and take home memorable experiences of the Sultanate.

This resort also includes a CHI Spa Village, a spa with eight large and four single private villas, three fresh-water swimming pools (two inter-connected by a specially designed "lazy river"), 19 food and beverage outlets (including six main restaurants, seven casual dining outlets and pool bars, three lobby lounges, two bars and a nightclub), extensive conference and meeting facilities, four tennis courts, an Omani Heritage Village, an open-air amphitheatre seating up to 1000, a dedicated marina and Dive Centre, an archeological site open to visitors, a full-time "Turtle Ranger" and a myriad of water sports including dolphin and whale watching.

CEO and Managing Director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Giovanni Angelini states that "our delivery of ‘Shangri-La Hospitality from Caring People’ is distinctly Asian. When it is combined with the warm welcome and hospitality of Oman, it becomes an unbeatable combination."

At the hotel's inauguration, Managing Director of Zubair Corporation (the resort's developer) Ziyad M Al Zubair said, "This project represents a pioneering step in the process of laying down the foundations of tourism and developing Oman as a prime and distinct international tourist destination. One of the most important elements for selecting Shangri-La Hong Kong to operate the resort is that it attaches high importance to the human resource development and follows the most advanced training standards."

The fact that Hong Kong's esteemed hotel giant has considered Oman for one of its projects itself indicates the growing importance of Oman on the international tourist map. Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently manage 47 hotels under the five-star Shangri-La and four-star Traders brands, with a rooms inventory of more than 23,000. The group has over 40 projects under development in Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, the Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

The Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat, one of the most prestigious hotels in Oman, which opened in 1985, has also built a reputation as the best hotel in the Middle East and one of the finest hotels in the world. Situated eight kilometers from the downtown business district and 35 kilometers from the airport, the hotel is nestled on the coast surrounded by a dramatic mountain backdrop, sea and beach and set in 200 acres of lush, green gardens. It is close to Muscat and the commercial centre and enjoys spectacular views over the Gulf of Oman. Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat has 250 luxurious rooms and suites, each with its own private balcony and with most rooms providing spectacular views over the Gulf of Oman.

The InterContinental Muscat at Qurum, with its seamless blend of Arabian hospitality and modern facilities, encapsulates perfectly all that is Oman. Situated in 35 acres of luscious palm gardens between the imposing Hajjar Mountains and the flawless pale sand of the Gulf coast, it offers a range of stunning views on each side. Having the best leisure facilities in Muscat and being close to the city's main commercial districts and only 15 minutes from the airport, the hotel is the ideal location for business travelers and leisure guests alike.
Temperature-controlled swimming pools, health and fitness centre, tennis and squash courts, children play area and, most importantly, a tranquil garden for rest and relaxation. The hotel has an outstanding array of dining venues with live entertainment, a large ballroom and meeting rooms which offer complete business solutions make it a place to stay and enjoy.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat's high standards of service complement the hotel's luxuriously appointed facilities. Its unique cliff-top location includes access to the private beach and provides the most breathtaking views of the Gulf of Oman. The hotel boasts 200 elegantly appointed and refurbished rooms. A choice of king-, queen- and twin-bedded rooms are available. The hotel's business facilities include Club Rooms & Private Lounge, WiFi, high-speed internet and a well-equipped business centre. Set in 10 acres of lush, landscaped gardens within the prestigious "Qurum Heights" area of Muscat, the hotel's leisure facilities include tennis, free-form pool, children's pool and a fully equipped fitness centre.

The Grand Hyatt Hotel, one of the finest beachfront hotels reflecting Yemeni architecture, is set amid 10 acres overlooking the Gulf of Oman. It is part of the renowned Grand Hyatt Hotels group that caters to leisure and corporate travellers. The facilities include fitness and recreation at Club Olympus, tennis and squash courts, beach and water sports, boating and sea excursions.

The hotel offers fine cuisine. The Tuscany restaurant specialises in authentic Italian cuisine and other quintessential Mediterranean flavours. There are other restaurants like Marjan for Asian cuisine and the Mokha Cafe which offers a vast array of Arabian and global tastes in comfortable and stylish surroundings.

The hotel has 280 rooms and suites, executive and crown suites, a Royal Suite, Grand Club, Business Centre, the Copacabana Night Club and Club Safari Games Room & Bar among other amenities.

All these hotels enjoy a good occupancy rate throughout the year, especially during the winter months (November to February). Hotel managers concede that the Sultanate needs more five-star hotels in Muscat to meet the ever-increasing tourist rush. They agree that competition will be stiff in future but tourists will gain in having a wide choice of luxury stay.