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Al Mouj Muscat Drives Tourism Growth with Over 2,000 Hotel Rooms Upon Completion

Al Mouj Muscat’s Impact Campaign highlights the positive contribution the oceanfront lifestyle & leisure destination is having on Oman’s tourism sector

Muscat, 6th July 2022: Al Mouj Muscat welcomes 3.9 million visitors annually and through outstanding leisure experiences, Oman’s first Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) is delivering on its promise of developing tourism in the Sultanate, thus contributing to major economic growth.

Al Mouj Muscat, a world-class destination, attracts local, regional and international tourists through its award-winning golf course, lively marina and an array of oceanfront culinary experiences. This comprehensive destination is home to leaders in the hospitality industry with international hotel names basing their properties in the heart of the mixed-use destination.

Leaders in Hospitality
Hotels are a key feature of Al Mouj’s sophisticated tourism infrastructure, with two international hotels now operational, the Kempinski Hotel Muscat and Mysk by Shaza that together, offer 582 rooms. As well, the 5-star St. Regis Resort is in opening phase and set to offer 440 rooms, along with the Al Mouj Rayhaan by Rotana which will have 251 rooms. Three additional hotels are in planning phase and with a total of seven hotels on project completion, the total number of rooms and suites available will rise to over 2,000.
Carsten Wiegandt is the General Manager of the Kempinski Hotel Muscat which opened its doors in 2018. Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group and Carsten explains why Al Mouj was the right location for the brand: “Al Mouj Muscat has created the perfect balance of authentic Omani hospitality, memorable leisure experiences and lifestyle aspiration. Our travellers tell us that they appreciate the natural beauty of Oman, and that Al Mouj offers a true sense of community. This environment is unique, and I am confident that it will attract growing numbers of regional and international visitors.”

Championship Golf Course
Al Mouj Golf is a travel and tourism success story in its own right, with the Greg Norman-designed course earning global recognition as a World 100 championship course and consistently being placed in the top two in the Middle East owing to its exceptional playing attributes and magnificent oceanside setting. As well, it is the nation’s first PGA course and has hosted the Oman Open, a European Tour golf tournament, for three years and is on the European Tour.
Building on its popularity with local golfers, across the Middle East and internationally, the club is investing in a series of major facility and building upgrades that will lift the playing experience even higher. Given the estimated total economic impact per annum of golf travel to Oman has the potential to exceed 1.7 million Omani Rials, Al Mouj is confident it will play a major part in driving interest, helping to develop the sector further.

5 Time Accredited Gold Anchor Marina
Another jewel in Al Mouj’s crown is its show-stopping Gold Anchor marina which surrounded by luxury residences, is also expanding and upon completion will accommodate 400 berths. It provides an unrivalled setting for yacht owners and boating enthusiasts, who have a superb team of experienced Marina staff and support services at their disposal.
In addition to being able to welcome more vessels, Al Mouj Marina established the marine tourism industry and is currently home to 17 sea tour operators. These local independent enterprises benefit from the vibrant destination’s footfall and overall support for them has been instrumental in growing the highly popular area of marine tourism.
Sailing, diving and snorkelling enthusiasts are well-served by the accredited businesses that are strategically located in the vibrant destination. Al Mouj Muscat’s supportive and pioneering approach has both created jobs and resulted in over 1,850 marine tour trips departing annually from the marina.
Added to this is a calendar of unique and exciting events such as whale shark watching that have won international accolades including Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards and allow visitors to enjoy truly memorable experiences.

Oceanfront Culinary Experiences
The oceanfront destination is also a well-established and vibrant hub for shopping and dining out, boasting over 85 international and independent retail brands located in architecturally beautiful malls and open spaces close to its marina. From coffee shops and take-out food trucks, to high-end indoor restaurants and family-friendly waterfront cafes, Al Mouj Muscat’s operators cater for a broad range of tastes and occasions with an array of international cuisines offered.

Sports Tourism
It is by creating opportunities for exceptional experiences that Al Mouj has played a major part in developing sports tourism, a growing and increasingly important feature of Oman’s tourism sector. It has hosted several prestigious events including Al Mouj Muscat Marathon which attracts over 10,000 runners from over 100 countries, and stages of the America’s Cup and the Extreme Sailing Series.
The Tour of Oman, hosted the Final Stage of the professional road bicycle race in the Sultanate, which featured 102 riders from 29 nations and gained world-wide recognition and media coverage.
Al Mouj Golf is ranked as one of the top two golf courses in the Middle East, thus attracting events such as the European Tour serving as an excellent showcase for the course’s incomparable location helping to put Oman on the global sports tourism map.
Nasser bin Masoud Al Sheibani, CEO of Al Mouj Muscat, adds: “Tourism is a key pillar of Oman Vision 2040 as it boosts job creation, in-country spend and creates new avenues for enterprise. Since inception, we have seen the development and growth of the sector through the attraction of world renowned hotel chains, championship golf course, award winning marina and exceptional culinary experiences, bringing in tourists from around the world.
Al Mouj Muscat is a key destination, attracting international events such as the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, which generated a total economic impact of 10 million Omani Rials. Through every Omani Rial that was spent during this prestigious event, there was a return of 11 Omani Rials and the event itself was broadcasted live to 140 territories.
Since inception, we have delivered sustainable tourism, maintained our global presence, and implemented innovative ways to deliver lasting value to our community, our stakeholders, and the Sultanate of Oman.”
Al Mouj Muscat was established in 2006 as a joint venture between Majid Al Futtaim Properties, OMRAN and Tanmia. It is home to 8,000 people from 85 nations and has delivered significant socio-economic benefits, including growth in job creation, development, foreign direct investment, and support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises as well as the tourism sector.
To discover more, visit impact.almouj.com