Tenders for a multi-million-riyal project being developed by Zubair Enterprises at Barr Al Jissah in Oman will be invited soon.

The tenders will involve site works, a project office, a water package and maintenance and security facilities, a local report said.

A new road is also to be built to the planned three new resort hotels and surrounding complex by November.

Barr Al Jissah is some 12 km south of Muscat City Centre. The contract for building one of the hotels, to be known as the Town Hotel, including apartments and a spa, will be announced by National Day this year (November 18).

The tourism project will be operated by the Shangri La Group. Bankers to this project are BankMuscat and Oman Arab Bank. Turner International is the main project manager.

The development has been divided into seven packages with different contractors expected to bid for the various hotels.

The highlight of the complex will be the Palace Hotel perched on the highest part of the development and with its own private beach accessed only by a buggy cart down the craggy rock face. There will be a tree-lined driveway, a courtyard with water features, a shaded pool deck and footpaths round the cliffs. The architecture will reflect Omani traditions.

The Palace Hotel will have a five-star deluxe ranking, the Town Hotel five star and the Village Hotel four. The Village Hotel, with over 400 rooms and a Kids Club, will cater for families. It will however share a luxury ambience with a pool, waterfalls and footpaths and walkways.

The whole project is scheduled for completion by July 2005.