The sixth edition of Oman’s Hospitality Champions 2025, on October 22, was not just a unique celebration of outstanding talent in the field of Hospitality in Oman, it was also a platform to exemplify the exceptional grit and gait of 25 skilled Omani professionals who bagged the coveted trophy for their exceptional diverse roles in the profession

The Sultanate of Oman and its cultural heritage of warm hospitality was once again the cynosure, as young professionals in Hospitality converged at the Jabrin Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental Muscat to take a humble bow in acknowledgement of their recognition, and to share a clear message to the Arab world of their triumphant hold on traditions of service excellence.

Exemplifying in varied terms through their actions, of what ‘going an extra mile’ actually means, the awardees of Oman’s Hospitality Champions 2025, in 25 categories, each had an illustrious tale behind them – one which did the sultanate proud and at the same time stuck a new feather in their own caps. There were no comparisons between the different roles they assumed, neither could they be placed on different levels of the service hierarchy, but all scored high on one common count – holding guests’ interests uppermost!

Jointly hosted by the National Institute of Hospitality (NHI) and Apex Media, this contest has over the years been opening up the floodgates for more promising youngsters to join the hospitality industry to churn out fulfilling careers for themselves as well as project Oman on the world tourism map as a most preferred destination.

A total of 183 nominations (the highest till date) were received from 23 properties that included the best of hotels and resorts in Oman, all of which have been backing Omani talent in a big way. The nominated candidates and winners were evaluated by an esteemed panel of professionals in the field, closely observing their career paths as well as professional standards.

The awards function, held at Hotel InterContinental Muscat, saw the participation of top management and professionals from hotels and resorts across Oman. The awards were initially presented by Sulaiman al Harthi, CEO, Oman Arab Bank (a big supporter of the event), followed by Saleh al Balushi of Sheraton Oman who had won the Young Hotelier of the Year award last year. The presentations were then taken over by Adrian Hamilton, CEO of SalamAir, the key sponsor of the event.

Welcoming the guests at the outset, Saleh Zakwani, executive chairman of Apex Media, offered a word of praise to the awardees as well as to their respective establishments for recognising their outstanding contribution to the profession as a motivating factor for budding professionals in hospitality in Oman. He also pointed out that tourism was the most promising industry of the future and commended hotel establishments for providing jobs and employing Omanis in various roles, since Hospitality goes hand in hand with tourism.

Sulaiman al Harthi also expressed pleasure of being part of this promising annual event and urged young Omanis to take up jobs in Hospitality in a big way to contribute to society. “Our small contribution towards this event may have helped some of you to get trained, educated and attain jobs in the Hospitality sector as we strongly believe this is very necessary for society and the country,” he said.

During a high-profile networking session before the presentation ceremony began, industry professionals offered praise in many different ways to NHI as well as Apex Media for initiating and continuing a tradition that has been a catalyst in the progress and successes in the hospitality sector in Oman. While greenhorns were anxious about bagging the trophy and the recognition that comes with it, the seasoned players were rather confident that their determination and devotion to their jobs was paramount in giving them a sound footing in the long run.

In the hospitality calendar in Oman, this event is a much sought-after event, not only because it rewards existing Omani talent in the field but also because it motivates young Omanis to take on diverse roles in this field every year.

Some of the key awards were ‘Unsung Hero’, won by Yousuf al Hasani from Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel, and ‘Young Hotelier of the Year’, won by Issa al Jahdhami from The Chedi, which acknowledged outstanding individual contributions in a big way. The Lifetime Achievement Award – won by Adil al Balushi of Hotel InterContinental Muscat this year – had been introduced two years ago for an individual who has dedicated a significant number of successful years in the industry. The selection was done based on testimonials from the recipient’s management and colleagues, besides overall feedback from guests.

The judging panel included Richard Weetch, GM, Fusa Recruitment Company, Othaila al Saifi, Director of Marketing & Communications, Iventom , and Maimunah al Shebani, Managing Director, The Retail Agency, besides Laila Zakwani, executive director, Apex Media, all of whom were highly impressed by the overall standard of the nominations as well as the credentials of the ultimate winners.

The winner profiles read out at the even were a clear indicator about how young Omanis have taken their careers seriously. While some candidates took charge of their departments in the absence of superiors, some engaged in cost-effective eco-friendly practices. There were some who proved to be cultural ambassadors for Oman while some exceeded guests expectations by leaps and bounds in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, most winners attributed their success to the sound work environment and guidance they received from their superiors, others dedicated it to their teams. In general, all were unanimous in their contention that their sole goal was to enrich the guest experience at all costs as it gives a positive image, not just to the profession but also to the tourism industry and projects Oman as a preferred destination worldwide.

Yousuf al Hasani, recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, has spent over 21 years in the hospitality field, working along “I am deeply proud of this achievement,” he said. “It motivates me to continue working hard and contributing to a sector that has great potential for Omanis. Hospitality is a promising and attractive field that plays a vital role in supporting tourism and boosting the national economy.”

Issa al Jahdhami, winner of the Hotelier of the Year Award, who joined the industry just three years ago, said, “I’m truly delighted with this recognition,” he said. “Working in hospitality has taught me patience, determination and open-mindedness. It’s also helped me build strong social and professional relationships that I value deeply. I encourage young Omanis to join this sector — it offers so many opportunities for personal and professional growth.”

Adil al Balushi, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award – who has served in the hospitality industry for two decades – said, “This award means a great deal to me. It recognises years of dedication and inspires me to achieve even more. The hospitality sector offers immense learning and development opportunities. My message to young Omanis is: never give up, believe in your abilities and chase your dreams this is a sector worth joining.”

Adrian Hamilton, in conclusion, said it was a great pleasure to extend support to this event since it plays a great part in promoting tourism which generates hundreds of thousands of jobs in Oman. “We believe, Omanis can handle most jobs in Hospitality independently, but anywhere in the world you go, the more you have a mix of cultures you can get the best of everything,” he said.

Judges speak

It was both, a pleasure as well as an enlightening experience, going through the profiles of all the nominated candidates. Every year we read about so many inspiring stories of success, and this year was no different. With so many extraordinary candidates, it made our selection even more challenging. We are proud to celebrate those recognised this year, while also acknowledging the incredible achievements of all the nominees. With every subsequent edition of Hospitality Champions, I do see, not just a growing competitive spirit but also elevated levels of excellence in all roles in Hospitality. This is good sign for boosting tourism in the sultanate as well as Oman’s international image.

Laila Zakwani

Executive Director, Apex Media

Thanks to the much respected and firmly established Oman Hospitality Awards, this year we saw exceptional candidates from a much broader range of hospitality businesses across the Sultanate. Again and again, we talked to young professionals leading by example and encouraging others in their community to join this great industry and help promote the country.

We saw so many people who have been promoted to management roles having started as juniors. There is no doubt that, in support of the excellent hotel management teams, these awards have captured the imagination of Omani hospitality professionals, encouraging their career development and motivating them to achieve the now celebrated title of ‘Hospitality Champion’.

Richard Weetch

GM, Fusa Recruitment Company

This year’s nominations have demonstrated the remarkable depth of talent in Oman’s hospitality sector. What stood out was the consistency of individuals who approach their roles with passion rather than as a job, showing determination and genuine care in every interaction. The shortlisted winners reflect professionals who are excelling in their own disciplines while also raising standards through mentorship and by enhancing the guest experience in meaningful ways.

The Hospitality Champions Award plays an important role in shaping this culture of excellence by providing recognition that inspires continuous improvement. It strengthens Oman’s position as a hub of service innovation and reinforces the sense of pride and purpose that drives the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Othaila Al Saifi

Director of Marketing & Communications, Iventom

The nominees and shortlisted winners have shown exceptional dedication, striving to raise standards and deliver outstanding service in their field. Initiatives like Hospitality Champions are indeed instrumental in Oman’s progressive growth in this field. They recognize excellence, motivate professionals to innovate, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. By highlighting these achievements, the awards not only honor individual talent but also inspire the wider industry to pursue higher benchmarks, ultimately strengthening Oman’s hospitality sector.

Maimunah al Shebani

Managing Director, The Retail Agency

GMs speak

I view Oman’s Hospitality Champions as a landmark event for our industry. This red-letter day celebrates excellence, inspiring professionals to strive for greatness year-round. By recognising dedication and innovation, it fosters a culture of pride and motivation, encouraging our team to consistently elevate guest experiences and uphold Oman’s reputation for world-class hospitality. It’s a powerful catalyst for sustained excellence. Events like Oman’s Hospitality Champions play a pivotal role in reshaping perceptions among Omani youth about careers in hospitality.

Arshad Mahmood

GM,Movenpick Hotel & Resort

Oman’s Hospitality Champions is a red-letter day that celebrates excellence across the hospitality sector. By recognising both, emerging talent and seasoned professionals, it fosters pride, motivation, and a culture of continuous improvement. More than an annual celebration, it plays a strategic role in shaping a future-ready workforce and elevating industry standards. This initiative strengthens the appeal of hospitality careers among Omanis and positions the sultanate as a regional leader in service excellence and tourism development. Events like this help shift perceptions among young Omanis, showcasing hospitality as a rewarding and respected career. Many young professionals are beginning to take pride in their achievements and aim high.

Sebastian Thomas

GM, InterContinental Muscat

We are proud to have partnered with the NHI to foster opportunities for Oman’s hospitality students. I truly believe this represents the future of Oman’s hospitality sector. By serving as a platform to attract and nurture new talent, we aim to strengthen the industry and promote Oman as a world-class destination. Such events will continue to become a great way to motivate and recognise the true heroes of Oman hospitality.

We’ve already begun to witness a noticeable shift in attitudes. More and more young Omanis are not only showing interest in hospitality but are also taking immense pride in their contributions. They’re aiming higher, embracing opportunities for growth, and recognising the potential to represent Oman on a global stage through exceptional service and cultural authenticity. We believe, this is just the beginning.

Nicolas Dubort

GM, Hotel Mandarin

I must compliment NHI and Apex Media for hosting this event, it helps in building the morale of young Omanis in the Hospitality sector. We believe in building and developing the local talent. That’s one of our prime motives. With Vision 2040 in focus, we need more Omanis to come forward to take up the challenge and take the country forward on all fronts. Oman is a beautiful destination and the tourism sector is growing every year, and I’m sure events like this will go a long way in developing the Hospitality sector in the long run.

Rejin Thomas

Hotel Manager, Sheraton Oman