Omran and Millennium Hotels and Resorts sign management agreement for Sports City hotel in Musannah

The management agreement was signed by H.E Dr. Rajiha bint Abdul Ameer bin Ali, Minister of Tourism, and Chairperson of Omran, and Ali H. Lakhraim, President & CEO Millennium Hotels Middle East, in a ceremony attended by H.E Eng. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Sports Affairs and Eng. Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati, CEO of Omran.

Millennium Hotels is one of the world's largest hotel groups, with more than 120 hotels totalling 33,143 rooms across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. This will be Millennium's first hotel in Oman, and will feature more than 250 rooms alongside a range of restaurants and sports and leisure facilities.

The hotel will also feature two destination restaurants, one within the hotel and one on the marina, one tea lounge sports facilities, including swimming pool and aqua sports facilities, banquet facilities totalling 500 square metres, retail outlets and outdoor seating along the marina.

The hotel will be a landmark element of the 1 million square metre site in Musannah, one hour away from Muscat, which also features Olympic-quality sporting facilities, an athlete's village, a range of restaurants and retail facilities. This waterfront location will also feature a 400-berth marina, which will be a key attraction for those staying at the hotel.

Commenting on the signing, H.E Dr. Rajiha bint Abdul Ameer bin Ali, Chairperson of Omran and Minister of Tourism, said, "We are extremely pleased to enter into this management agreement with Millennium Hotels and Resorts, one of the world's most highly-regarded global hotel operators. The Second Asian Beach Games site is of strategic importance to Omran, and a key tourism development for Oman.

"Our pride in hosting the 2010 Muscat Asian Beach Games drives us to set the highest standards for developing the site and delivering a landmark hotel which fully meets those standards. The hotel is a fitting destination for all those visiting Oman for the Games from around the world."

Mr. Lakhraim, President & CEO Millennium Hotels Middle East added, "The slogan for the Second Asian Beach Games - Muscat 2010 is 'together we shine' and I believe that this slogan lends itself to how we see our relationship with Omran, one of the most progressive and ambitious entities, we have had the opportunity to work within this region. Our mission is to complement Oman's vision by offering superior facilities and unparalleled Arabian hospitality and we hope to enhance Oman's recognition as a sport and eco-tourism destination on a global scale.

We are very proud to have Omran join our family which is one of the world's largest owned and managed hotel groups. Our group operates a portfolio of more than 120 hotels worldwide, managing its network of properties through four key global brands: Grand Millennium, Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate.

Millennium hotels epitomise the very best in elegance and luxury with outstanding décor, world class facilities and the ultimate in personalised, gracious service. Situated in landmark locations across major gateway cities around the world, Millennium hotels have been created with timeless elegance, and are famed for their conference and banqueting offerings."

Work is currently on schedule at the Second Asian Beach Games site, which is set to open in time for the Games in December 2010. Omran's latest progress update said that the construction is overall 66% complete and fully on track for the November delivery.

This will be the second Asian Beach Games following the inaugural event in Bali in 2008, with an estimated 5,000 athletes, officials, media and volunteers from 45 counties expected to participate. The Asian Beach Games were established by the Olympic Council of Asia, and are held every two years. The overarching aim is to strengthen relations and understanding between participating Asian nations in a friendly competitive environment.

Development of the site is a major undertaking by Omran to create a world-class home for the second Asian Beach Games - Muscat 2010 which will endure as a tourism destination long past 2010.