Hospitality chain Rotana Group has inked an agreement with Oman-based firms Taameer Investment and Golden Group of Companies (GGC) to manage five properties in Muscat, Sohar and Salalah.

The agreement is said to be the largest of its kind for a hotel chain in the sultanate, and is part of a wider strategy to expand GGC and Taamer Investment’s presence in the Omani hospitality sector.

The new hotels will comprise about 1,500 hotel rooms to be delivered over the next five years in the three cities, under three-, four- and five-star categories.

“The construction of hotels like the Wave Muscat Hotel and Shaza Salalah Hotel & Spa is part of GGC & Taameer investing in this industry due to the steady growth and rapid increase in demand for 3/4/5-star hotels and hotel apartments,” said Suleiman bin Masood Al Harthi, Taameer CEO.

The upcoming hotels will cater to the anticipated increase in demand, as Oman looks to expand its airports in Salalah and Muscat, leading to a leap in the number of inbound flights, he added. “This requires doubling residence and hotel service.”

Abu Dhabi-based Rotana sees Oman as an important growth market on account of its tourism offering, said its chairman Nasser Al Nowais.

“As we continue to execute on our vision of operating 100 hotels by 2020, Rotana looks forward to assuming a central role in elevating the hospitality scene in Oman while meeting the demands of the market.”