Beyond Airbnb: Oman’s Opportunity for Young Entrepreneurs

When Al Suwgra was just starting, the idea was simple. The Al Shuraiki family had ancestral homes on Al Jabal Akhdhar. Mohammed, who had worked as an experience guide at a luxury resort, understood that visitors would pay for something his family knew intimately: life on the mountain.

Their village dates back more than 500 years. After the last family moved out in 2014, restoration began the following year. The guesthouse started with two rooms. Today, the village itself is a reason to visit.

That is a business lesson more young Omanis should study.

Airbnb helped people realise that a home could earn tourism income. Oman’s heritage inns show how that idea can become a fuller business, with accommodation, meals, guiding and activities built around a place and its people.

A family property becomes a starting asset. Knowledge of a village becomes a service. Cooking, farming and crafts can create paid work. For young Omanis wondering where to begin, this deserves serious attention.

Asaad al Akhzami’s work offers another example. Before Nomad Inn in Nizwa and Tiwi, his Bait Al Muallem project restored a historic house in Nizwa, bringing local cooks, guides and artisans into the visitor experience. The opportunity extended beyond selling rooms.

These businesses give owners room to choose their scale, shape their offer and keep their identity. Al Suwgra’s family reportedly declined outside investment to protect its traditions. Independence has commercial value when guests are looking for somewhere distinctive.

There is also support worth knowing about. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism recognises heritage inns within its approval system. The SME Development Authority’s financing programme includes tourism ventures, with applications through the Development Bank, subject to eligibility and assessment.

OMRAN’s announced investment in UnderTheDoormat, aimed at alternative accommodation and digital marketing, points towards another essential ingredient: helping small properties reach customers.

But support must reach the village doorstep. Governorate tourism offices and municipalities should help prospective owners navigate approvals and infrastructure needs. Banks can assess realistic restoration plans. Established hotels and tour operators could mentor hosts and include independent inns in itineraries.

I have spoken with people exploring opportunities in old villages. Manah looks promising, and abandoned homes in Birkat Al Mouz are attracting interest.

The next step is to check ownership, speak with families, calculate costs, and test demand. An attractive building alone will not pay the bills. This should become a practical local conversation.

Oman has examples, relevant support routes and heritage worth visiting. More young Omanis should now examine how they can participate. With thoughtful partnerships, they can build businesses that keep both income and decision-making closer to home.