Master developer Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has revealed that its upcoming hotel project, which will mark JW Marriott’s debut in Oman, is set to open in the third quarter of 2019.

The 304-room five-star hotel is being built next door to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) as part of the development’s final phase, Omran said.

The company has made great strides in the development of the JW Marriott hotel project at Madinat Al Irfan, it said.

JW Marriott Muscat will feature six food and beverage outlets, two ballrooms, a business centre, meeting rooms and a spa and fitness centre.  It will also encompass three outdoor pools and open-air function areas overlooking a natural wadi.

“The completion of the JW Marriott reinforces our position as the largest hotel investment company in the sultanate and given the size and quality of our portfolio, we are exploring ways to share ownership of this portfolio with the private sector. We want to give local and international investors a chance to invest in the growth of the Omani tourism sector in a convenient and cost effective way,” said, Peter Walichnowski, chairman of Omran.

Operated by Marriott International under the JW Marriott brand, the luxurious 304-room hotel is designed in accordance with the highest international standards for health and safety. The new hotel is compliant with the advanced Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification, which aligns with Omran’s sustainability policies.

In November 2017, Omran opened the 296-room Crowne Plaza at the OCEC and is also planning a distinctive 280-room Ibis Style hotel next to this Crown Plaza. The three hotels would contribute an additional 880 rooms to the sultanate’s hospitality and Mice sector.