WHEN Brid Beeler first set foot in Oman in the early 1990s, she was instantly captivated by its unspoiled beauty - the rugged Hajar Mountains, the whispering dunes of Sharqiya, and the gracious warmth of its people. As a pioneering travel specialist with a deep love for Arabian heritage, she has since dedicated her career to showcasing Oman’s hidden gems to the world, blending adventure with cultural immersion in every itinerary she curates.
By the age of 26, Brid had sailed the Irish Sea aboard the brigantine Asgard II, ridden wild Brumbies in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, fished the Zambezi, and climbed Yemen’s peaks from Sa’da to Aden. Her wanderlust had taken her across four continents overland - long before global travel became a social media trend.
That early spirit of exploration eventually led her to the Middle East, where she lived for nearly two decades. “While in Saudi Arabia, we would often visit Oman during holidays. That first trip prompted us to return every year,” she recalls. “Oman’s forts and castles were unlike anything else in the region. It was clear even then that the country took its heritage seriously.”
Her journeys in Oman often unfolded far beyond cityscapes - along winding tracks and windswept shores. “Once, while camping south of Ras Al Madrakah, I woke up to see what looked like the entire beach moving,” she laughs. “Under the moonlight, millions of ghost crabs scurried across the sand. It felt biblical - like the parting of the Red Sea.”
From those early adventures came a lifelong admiration for Oman’s natural and cultural landscape. “Oman’s falaj irrigation systems and its frankincense heritage make it unique,” she says. “You sense an authenticity here that is rare — the quiet dignity of its people, the landscapes untouched by time.”
Brid’s career in tourism blossomed alongside her travels. With over three decades of experience across six continents, she has worked with leading global travel brands such as Abercrombie & Kent, MT Sobek, and Discovery Channel Adventures. As Managing Director, she established Oman’s first Destination Management Company for Abercrombie & Kent and went on to create eco-tourism experiences that blended luxury with discovery.
“Abercrombie & Kent always struck a balance between comfort and adventure,” she notes. “We would explore remote wadis or forts during the day and return to five-star luxury at night. Oman has since perfected that blend - places like Zighy Bay embody that balance beautifully.”
Her achievements include leading programs for Discovery Channel Adventures, managing Smithsonian Institution cultural tours, and producing award-winning documentaries, including a National Geographic-acquired film on the Qashqai nomads of Iran. Yet, despite her globe-spanning résumé, Oman holds a special place in her heart.
“The Omani people’s warmth and openness are truly remarkable,” she says. “Perhaps it comes from their maritime history - trading with Zanzibar, India, and the Swahili coast. That outward-looking generosity still defines them today.”
For Brid, Oman represents both serenity and discovery - where dramatic cliffs meet turquoise seas, and age-old traditions remain alive in modern times. “Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a luxury traveller, Oman touches you in a way few countries can,” she reflects.
As she continues to champion responsible travel and cross-cultural understanding, Brid remains guided by one conviction - that travel, at its best, bridges worlds. “Cultural awareness and empathy are not optional anymore,” she says. “They’re essential to who we are - and to the world we hope to build.”
For this veteran traveller, Oman is not just a destination. It’s a journey that never quite ends.
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