Al Madina A'Zarqa signs hotel management contract with Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas

BCC1 and Minor Hotel Group inked three agreements following the MoU signing last year.

Recognized as one of the leaders in luxury hospitality, Anantara has signed a Technical Services and Pre-Opening Assistance Agreement, a Licenses and Royalty Agreement and a Management Agreement with BCC1.

Under these agreements, Anantara will be operating and managing the first beachfront hotel in Phase 1 of Al Madina A'Zarqa on behalf of BCC1, under the name Anantara Al Madina A'Zarqa Resort & Spa, Oman.

"We are very pleased to have an even stronger relationship with Al Madina A'Zarqa. It is always our goal to bring colourful, indigenous experiences to our guests with the highest quality of services and facilities, and partnering with BCC1 will ensure that we realize this goal," commented Michel van der Hoeven, Senior Vice President - Development, Minor Hotel Group.

Anantara Al Madina A'Zarqa Resort & Spa is the first of the 20 hotels to be constructed in Al Madina A'Zarqa. Consisting of 122 keys, the resort will aim to bring the influences of Omani culture and heritage into a stunning new setting. The five-star Anantara Spa will be in operation in the resort with a fusion of locally inspired and Asian influenced services and treatments. Supported by world-class dining options, the beach-front resort will provide a unique blend of ambiance and exclusivity.

Roger Kacou, Vice President for Hotel and Leisure, Blue City Company 1, said:

"At Al Madina A'Zarqa, comfortable living is always our priority for our residents and visitors. As such, having Anantara in the new city proves our commitment to giving our investors the best. The new city will be a top destination in Oman and it is supporting the diversification of the Oman economy from fossil fuel to tourism."

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a collection of five-star luxury and boutique resorts and spas, providing an immersion into the culture, history and unique natural settings of its locations. Anantara has received many accolades for its growing portfolio of luxury resorts, stretching from Thailand, to Bali, the Maldives and the UAE, including two new resorts named in both the Condé Nast UK and US 'Hot Lists' for 2009.

Tagged as the New City of Oman, Al Madina A'Zarqa is a 32 km2 development in Sawadi, a 60-minute drive from Muscat. It runs along 16 km of coastline and it will have 20 hotels with more than 4000 keys in total. On completion, the city will be home to more than 200,000 residents including 10,000 students. Al Madina A'Zarqa offers all facilities and amenities one would want and need in a thriving metropolis.

Construction of Anantara Al Madina A'Zarqa Resort & Spa is well underway and is expected for completion by the end of 2010.