News DeskMuscat, Oman – Global real estate consultancy Savills has partnered with Visit Oman and UK-based Hospiria, part of the UnderTheDoormat Group, to introduce licensed short-term rental services in the Sultanate, marking a significant step in the professionalisation of Oman’s growing hospitality sector.
Visit Oman, which is licensed by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, will act as the brand and customer-facing entity, while Hospiria will provide technology and guest management expertise. Savills will lead on-the-ground operational delivery, owner engagement and local property management under the three-way collaboration.
The partnership aims to deliver a trusted, regulated short-stay offering for visitors, while enabling property owners to unlock long-term value from their assets. It is designed to ensure safe, high-quality and compliant guest experiences, alongside sustainable economic returns for owners.
Ihsan Kharouf, Head of Oman at Savills, said the collaboration brings together Visit Oman’s destination expertise, Hospiria’s technology and hospitality leadership, and Savills’ operational real estate strength to support the growth of the short-term rental market in the Sultanate. He added that the initiative supports Oman’s new legal framework for short-term rentals and allows, for the first time, a single provider to offer developers and owners a full range of rental options with enhanced security and integrated services.
The move comes as Oman’s tourism sector continues to show strong growth. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, tourism increased its contribution to the national economy by more than 3 per cent in 2024, reaching OMR 2.12 billion. Government data shows hotel stays rose 9 per cent year-on-year to 1.7 million guests between January and September 2025, while hotel revenues climbed 18 per cent to more than OMR 192 million. The growth aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which positions tourism as a key pillar of economic diversification.
Shabib Almaamari, Managing Director of Visit Oman, said the initiative leverages digital innovation to diversify the tourism economy and accelerate the growth of the digital sector in line with Vision 2040. He noted that the Hospiria platform enables full regulatory compliance, improves operational efficiency, optimises global distribution and enhances returns for property owners, while ensuring visitors enjoy authentic Omani stays that meet international standards.
Merilee Karr, Founder and CEO of UnderTheDoormat Group, said the partnership will open the Omani market to professional short-term rentals and help reach global audiences through Hospiria’s technology. She added that short-term rentals offer visitors a wider range of accommodation options and help distribute the economic benefits of tourism across the country.
The licensed short-stay service is expected to broaden accommodation choices for tourists and short-term visitors across different budgets, while providing property owners with new income opportunities and supporting the continued expansion of Oman’s tourism ecosystem.
