Twin deals for Crystal Lagoons as it targets Oman tourist boom
US-based Crystal Lagoons has identified Oman’s burgeoning hospitality and tourism market as a key area for expansion in the Middle East.
Crystal Lagoons, a specialist in creating manmade lagoons, has revealed that it recently signed two deals in Oman. The US-based company wants to use a forecasted $1.7 billion investment in the Oman tourist and hospitality market as a springboard for growth, it added in a statement.
The company is currently contributing a 40-hectare lagoon as part of a Alargan Towell Investment Company’s 50-hectare multi-million-dollar, mixed-use development close to Muscat. It has also signed a deal with Palm’s Beach Company to build a five-hectare lagoon as the centrepiece for the Al Nakheel Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) in the Wilayat of Barka. Construction of the lagoon is due to start in Q1 2018.
“Developing Oman’s tourism industry is a top priority for the government, investment is likely to see a number of recognised hospitality brands coming into the market. At Crystal Lagoons our technology allows us to develop mass bodies of water that are not only highly sustainable but also offer incredible turquoise water ideal for a range of water sports in a safe environment, perfect for large resorts and residential developments,” said Carlos Salas, regional director, Middle East, Crystal Lagoons in the statement. “As investment in the country grows, as does competition. We can provide a viable, long term differentiator that offers something unique to other developments, we ultimately deliver the wow factor!”
Oman is renowned for having some of the cleanest waters in the world, as stated by a recent United Nations report. Crystal Lagoons claims its technology provides a viable, sustainable solution, despite challenges such as water and energy supply, supporting Oman’s drive for clean water preservations through avoidance of contamination. Crystal Lagoons uses any kind of water including brackish from underground aquifers, eliminating the need to consume valuable fresh water resources.
“The cutting-edge technology uses up to 30 times less water than a golf course and half of the water required to irrigate a park of the same size. A manmade lagoon also uses 100 times less chemicals than a traditional filtration system and just 2% of the energy required by conventional water treatment systems for swimming pools and drinking water,” the company said in its statement.
“Although Oman is at the relatively early stages of planning freehold residential developments for investors outside of ITCs, there’s potential for developers to create projects offering an array of amenities and that’s where we see Crystal Lagoons creating a value add. In our experience, developers can charge a premium on properties overlooking our projects and thus can attain a strong ROI,” added Salas.
In addition to expansion in the Middle East, Crystal Lagoons has also recently revealed plans to create a new business model which will see the company introduce Public Access Lagoons (PALs) around the world. In the US, Miami will soon have the first privately owned crystal-clear lagoon open to the public through tickets sales while in Europe, Spain has recently signed a deal to open the first PAL just 30km from the capital, Madrid. Initial discussions have also taken place with developers in the UAE, with talks currently ongoing. Crystal Lagoons will generate revenue through a percentage of tickets sold.
Crystal Lagoons currently boasts over 600 projects in different development and negotiation stages. in 60 countries worldwide. The company holds two Guinness World Records for the world’s largest manmade lagoon, the first in San Alfonso del Mar, Chile; and Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, which is the current world record holder at 12.2 hectares.
