Emir Of Qatar To Turn Ionian Islet In Greece Into Luxury Resort

Oxia Art Island. Photo © Ethnos newspaper

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is planning a major tourism development project in Greece.

Oxia islet. Photo © Vladi Private Islands

According to reports, following his purchase of the 1,236-acre uninhabited Ionian islet of Oxia for 5.6 million euros last year, the Qatari emir intends to transform it into a mega luxury resort under an investment budget of some 250 to 300 million euros.

Oxia is part of the Echinades island group.

The project entitled “Oxia Art Island” will make some 700 jobs available during the peak construction period and about 200-250 jobs to residents from the nearby area and from the islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia when the resort begins operation.

Works are said to take place mainly on the southwestern side of the Oxia, which has a low altitude. According to the development plan, carried out by Greek architect and engineer company Stelios Agiostratitis A&A Associates, a variety of areas are being planned for construction such as villages with different types of architecture, hospitality and recreation areas, cultural sites and a coastal zone with marine installations.

More specifically, the project is said to include a five-star hotel, a boutique hotel, two villages, beach bungalows, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, a shopping zone, sports facilities, marinas and a heliport.

The “Oxia Art Island” is expected to operate in two to three years.