50% occupancy in floating hotel Veronica since launch

Occupancy in floating hotel Veronica berthed at Duqm Port is around 50 per cent since its launch in December, according to Alexander Irausek, interim general manager.

Speaking at a press event on Tuesday, officials said that the floating hotel was catering to increased demand for accommodation from expatriates involved in various projects in the area, as well as boosting tourism.

Purchased by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in 2010 the former transatlantic ocean liner underwent a refurbishment programme before its launch as a floating hotel.

“We currently have 97 rooms occupied, which is nearly 50 per cent. These are very good figures since the soft launch in December. We have re-sized some of the cabins for extra space and taken into consideration the needs of the Omani market,” said Irausek.

Future plans include opening retail outlets inside the ship where Omani-produced handicrafts would be sold to visitors, added Irausek.

The operators of Oman Dry Dock Company, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) Oman, said that ability of the hotel to be made operational so quickly after the ocean liner’s purchase was a key factor in their decision.

“We know the importance of having adequate entertainment facilities in Duqm and Veronica only took a few months to establish,” said Kwang Soo Lee, general manager at DSME Oman.

“It has cost around US$35mn (RO13.47mn) so far and the hotel is expected to operate for around three to five years in Duqm. After that if there are any buyers (for the hotel) that is an option or if there are other locations, the hotel could be relocated.”

Floating hotel Veronica, formerly MV Mona Lisa, has 208 rooms available for guests, several restaurants, spa gym and a range of other entertainment facilities. The cost for a one night stay ranges from RO32 for serviced residences to RO215 for one of the two luxury cabins on board.