New Initiatives to Boost Oman’s Hotel Apartments Market: What Investors and Business Owners Need to Know
Muscat – Visit Oman and the Omran Group have announced several initiatives aimed at assisting small hotel apartment owners in listing their properties more effectively.
In a significant move, the Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) has acquired a stake in the UK-based UnderTheDoormat Group, a company specializing in short-term rentals and property technology. This investment is valued at RO 1.81 million (approximately $4.7 million).
Shabib bin Mohammed al Maamari, Managing Director of Visit Oman, told the Observer, “This investment will support the growth of the short-stay rental market in the Sultanate of Oman.”
UnderTheDoormat’s technology enables property owners—whether they own houses, apartments, or even farmhouses—to distribute their listings across more than 50 platforms, including Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia.
Al Maamari explained, “For owners with multiple properties, the system digitally manages and distributes inventory to prevent double bookings. It also includes a payment gateway, offering a seamless experience for both customers and owners.”
He highlighted a common challenge in the sector: “When an apartment is listed on multiple platforms such as Instagram and Airbnb, there is a high risk of double booking. UnderTheDoormat addresses this by managing inventory and calculating taxes. It can also integrate with authorities to handle verification processes like passport or ID checks. This information will be valuable to agencies such as the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, providing demographic data to enhance marketing efforts.”
Additionally, Visit Oman has recently formed partnerships with several Omani travel technology platforms, including the ‘My Ticket’ platform for ticket bookings and tourist experiences, ‘Yalla Pass’ for event tickets, the ‘My Events’ platform, the ‘Valu’ app for hotel and chalet reservations, the Masarra app for rest houses, chalets, and apartments, and the Joula platform for tourist guides.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has signed a contract with a national travel operator to develop and implement an integrated digital platform. This platform will enable Omani tourist guides to offer and showcase their services directly to visitors.
These initiatives collectively aim to modernize and expand the tourism infrastructure, supporting property owners and enhancing visitor experiences across Oman.
تحلیل ویژه از عمانت | بازار عمان را کشف کنید
The strategic investment by Omran Group in UnderTheDoormat signals a digital transformation in Oman’s short-term rental market, addressing critical challenges like double bookings and streamlining property management through advanced technology. This creates significant opportunities for small property owners to expand their reach and revenue while offering investors and entrepreneurs a chance to capitalize on growing tourism tech integration. Forward-looking stakeholders should consider leveraging these platforms to enhance operational efficiency and tap into the increasing demand for digitized travel and accommodation experiences in Oman.
