OMANI HOSPITALITY Occupying a prime beachfront location just 15 minutes’ drive from the airport and close to the city’s business district and main tourist attractions, The Chedi Muscat is among the most desirable hotels in the capital. Around 40 percent of its business comes from the meetings industry and other corporate business. Like many of the properties located here, its prime source markets are Europe (predominantly the UK and Germany) while interest from Asia is increasing, as well as from India and Russia and neighbouring GCC countries, most notably the UAE. “We are very excited that OCEC will generate a new
target market for Oman and broaden international aware- ness of the country. Whenever a wider audience learns about Oman, everyone benefi ts and The Chedi Muscat will be no exception,” says Simone Broekhaar, Director of Sales & Marketing. “We will, of course, support OCEC’s efforts to promote itself in any way possible and can be fairly fl exible in accommodating smaller groups and incentives.” The Chedi Muscat offers two multi-purpose meeting
rooms that can accommodate up to 34 theatre-style in the Nizwa Room located just off The Lobby Lounge and up to 40 theatre-style in the Salalah Room, which overlooks the water courtyard. “Muscat is a desirable destination all year round, but hotel
rates are defi nitely more favourable during ‘off peak’ and ‘shoul- der’ seasons,” says Broekhaar. “Our advice to meeting planners would be to look at these off-peak times as a way of getting the very best services without compro- mising their guests’ experiences. Muscat has lots to offer groups of all ages and interests with its large variety of activities and places to explore.” Priding itself on having a strong sense of
Omani heritage and providing an authentic experience for guests, the Al Bustan Palace – a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Muscat, is another top choice for meeting planners. With over 4,088 square metres of
function space, including meeting and banquet facilities for up to 1,000 guests, 16 meeting rooms, an 840-square-metre
Tawfi k Mokhtar
auditorium and stunning gardens for outside events – not to mention the longest beach in the country, the 250-key property is an ideal location for both grand affairs and intimate gatherings. Tawfi k Mokhtar, Director of Sales, says cor-
porate group travellers to Oman are mainly inter- ested in enjoying authentic Arabian experiences. “More and more large fi rms from across the
region and beyond are utilising Oman because the country also provides a fascinating getaway with a range of outdoor activities to choose from, making it ideal for incentives or team-building exercises,” says Mokhtar. “For instance, visitors can get in a four-by-four and explore endless rolling dunes of the Wahiba Sands and sunsets at Jebel Shams.” As well as attending key industry shows such
as GIBTM, EIBTM and IMEX, Al Bustan Palace supports the tourism ministry and DMCs in pro- moting the destination wherever possible. Another property in the vicinity, the Crowne
Plaza Muscat is preparing to offer fl exible rates for the expected infl ux of visitors in 2014 and is work- ing closely with DMCs in order to meet their needs when it comes to allocations. “We have seven fl ex- ible meeting rooms,” says Janet Turner, Director of Sales & Marketing. “We also receive international residential events from time to time, but this is a small percentage of our overall revenues.” As the only hotel in the city with a private
beach and great views of Muscat over Qurum Beach, the Crowne Plaza Muscat is an incredibly popular venue at sunset. Meeting planners will be pleased to hear that the property’s main terrace is currently being renovated in line with a vibrant new concept to appeal to guests.
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