Tourism in Oman being ‘revolutionised’, says new hotel director

Tourism to Oman is being “revolutionised” according to the director of a new hotel brand set to open in the destination next year.

Kairavi Khimji, director of The Malkai – which will unveil three boutique properties in Oman in early 2026 – said the destination had become more “accessible” to European, Middle Eastern and Asian travellers in recent years, with increased flight routes and high-end infrastructure complementing “warm hospitality” and varied terrain spanning beach, desert and mountain.

Market projections suggest Oman’s tourism industry is set to grow at a 3.89% compound annual growth rate between 2025 and 2029, reaching a value of $579 million by 2029.

“Tourism in Oman right now is really being revolutionised – a complete paradigm shift of the way it used to happen,” Khimji told Aspire.

This shift is what inspired Khimji’s family to create a “pilgrimage of Oman”. The Malkai will comprise three 15-suite hotels – Barkaa on the coast, Hajar in the mountains and Sharqiah in the sand dunes – with the aim for guests to move between the three properties to “immerse” themselves in everything Oman has to offer.

“It is designed in a very seamless way, so [the hotels] are meant to be experienced as a whole journey rather than three individual properties,” Khimji said.

Each destination will provide activities designed to showcase Oman, such as hiking through the mountains or horseback riding in the dunes, all informed by local guides and concierge providers known as murshids. 

Khimji said the experience had been designed for an “intellectually stimulated audience wanting to stray off the beaten track” following a rise in high-net-worth travellers seeking “authentic” Omani experiences and accommodation over big-name brands.

“We’ve got a niche following, but they’re craving something more authentic and educational,” she said.