Why Oman feels like home - every time

For Sandra Cahill, National Sales Manager — Home-Based Partners, Sydney, Oman has never been just another stamp in her passport. It is a place that wraps itself around her senses, a land she unfailingly describes as a “quiet homecoming”. Having travelled to the country for over two decades, Sandra speaks of Oman not in superlatives but in emotions — calm, connection and authenticity. These are qualities that continue to draw her back to a country she now calls her spiritual second home.

These sentiments are echoed by fellow Australian traveller Sonia Ciaglia, Partnership Manager from Sydney, who says: “Our holiday in Oman was exceptional — from Muscat’s calm charm and the stunning pools of Wadi Al Shab to Nizwa’s rich heritage and the magical dunes of Rimal Al Sharqiya (Sharqiyah Sands).

Every place left us in awe, but it was the warmth and humility of the Omani people that touched us most. Oman blends natural beauty, culture and genuine hospitality — an enriching experience we highly recommend”. “Oman offers time and space to slow down, to reflect and to reconnect with nature, culture and oneself”, Sandra says. “Every visit deepens my understanding and every experience stays with me long after I leave”.

What distinguishes Oman for Sandra is its rare balance of being both grounding and inspiring. Its landscapes — fjords, deserts, rose-growing terraces, mountain plateaus and secluded beaches — invite travellers to pause rather than rush. Its people extend a warmth that is rooted not in performance but in generational tradition.

“It’s in the subtle rhythms of daily life”, she reflects. “Elders sharing stories, desert communities protecting traditions and mountain villages opening their doors with quiet pride — every encounter is genuine and immersive”. Sandra’s memories of Oman are stitched together not by monuments but by moments. Watching turtles hatch beneath a star-filled sky. Walking the deserted shores of Masirah. Wandering through Ibra’s vibrant ladies’ market. Celebrating Eid with Omani families. Seeing fishermen auction tuna catch at dawn.

Exploring ancient stone houses fed by Al Falaj. These experiences, she believes, transform travel from simple observation into deep participation. Since her first visit in 2003, Sandra has watched Oman evolve into a more sophisticated tourism destination — yet one that has fiercely protected its soul. Boutique eco-stays, luxury mountain and coastal resorts, enhanced road networks and small-group curated journeys have enriched the visitor experience without compromising authenticity.

“Oman has modernised with care”, she notes. “It offers comfort without losing its sense of place”. Sandra credits the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT) for this thoughtful evolution. She believes their efforts have significantly elevated Oman’s global presence as a distinctive, authentic and high-value destination.

She adds that Oman’s active participation in global tourism roadshows, enhanced international collaborations and warm reception of global dignitaries have uplifted the country’s visibility. “From what I see, Oman is increasingly recognised internationally for exploration that is emotive, grounded and real — something travellers from Australia and New Zealand find especially compelling”.

As a specialist in the Australian market, Sandra sees immense potential for Oman’s cruise tourism sector — particularly in luxury expedition itineraries that seamlessly blend land and sea. “From tracing ancient maritime routes to trekking through mountain villages, integrated land-sea journeys offer travellers a deeper, more layered understanding of Oman’s identity”.

Sandra also highlights the role of the Oman Tourism College (OTC) in building the country’s future tourism workforce.

As a former Travel and Tourism lecturer at TAFE NSW, she praises OTC’s alignment with global standards. “The strong integration between academic learning and practical industry experience is something OTC delivers exceptionally well”, she says.

“Their collaboration with MoHT and alignment with Oman’s 2040 Tourism Strategy ensures graduates enter the industry with the right skills, mindset and professionalism”. Ultimately, Sandra believes Oman’s greatest gift is its ability to allow travellers to simply be. “There’s no rush, no pressure, no checklist”, she says. “Oman gives you space to breathe — and that is why I keep returning home”.