Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has positioned itself for many years as the 'Gem of the Gulf' with its own identity, its own vision based on culture, heritage, natural beauty, and genuine hospitality.
Speaking to the Observer as he was in the capital for the first Oman Luxury Summit, Doucet said, "Oman has the core ingredients - a strong cultural identity, preserved natural landscapes, and living traditions that are genuinely part of daily life."
He added, "Today’s travelers increasingly see luxury not as extravagance, but as access: access to stories, traditions, people, and meaningful moments. They expect depth over display, and personalization over standardization. For destinations, this means shifting from offering “things to see” to creating “ways to belong.” The region can respond by investing in curated cultural journeys, authentic encounters with artisans and communities, and experiences that reveal the soul of a place rather than just its landmarks."
To become a global benchmark for authentic, heritage-driven tourism, the country should continue to continue conservation-led development, ensuring heritage sites and natural areas remain protected, elevate Omani artisanship, storytelling, and rituals as central pillars of the visitor experience, encourage boutique-scale hospitality that integrates with surrounding communities, and invest in national branding that communicates Oman as a place where tradition shapes modern hospitality, he said.
By maintaining authenticity while delivering world-class service, Oman can stand out as the region’s most culturally grounded destination, he added.
He added that Kerten Hospitality is currently exploring several potential hotel management opportunities to enter the market with high-impact projects.
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