WORK on the beachfront Duqm Crowne Plaza in Oman is on track and the hotel is expected to open in the fourth quarter of this year, according to press reports.

The business hotel is designed to serve the development of world-class industrial and commercial facilities in the town of Duqm, which is located in the south east of Oman, according to the Oman Daily Observer.

The 10-hectare site is located 8 km west of Duqm, which is being developed to become one of the sultanate’s major industrial and commercial hubs.

The hotel is being developed in traditional Omani style and will include 218 deluxe rooms, 11 executive suites, six family suites and one royal suite, besides a range of dining options featuring an all-day dining restaurant, seafood grill, pool and a lobby lounge.

Leisure facilities at the hotel will include a fitness centre and exterior pool. Business needs will be fully serviced by a business centre, ballroom and full state-of-the-art meeting and conferencing facilities.

Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) is developing the hotel under an agreement with the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

IHG expects Duqm Crowne Plaza to primarily cater to business travellers once it opens in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Duqm is developing a new dry dock, port and free trade zone and future plans are said include construction of an airport, oil storage facilities, fishing harbour, a residential town and a public beach, the report said.