Nebi Ozan Ozdemir, general manager of Alila Hinu Bay, explores Oman’s unique hospitality landscape, discussing challenges, inspirations and his vision for Alila Hinu Bay.
How did your career begin?
As a young boy, I spent summers at my father’s restaurant, always watching him work with immense passion and care. Consequently, the kitchen’s energy, satisfied guests and my father’s unique ability to make everyone feel special deeply inspired me. Eventually, I started helping — setting tables and greeting guests — realizing that hospitality is truly about creating lasting and meaningful memories for people. This led me to pursue a degree in tourism and hotel management, building a career focused on people and excellence. Now, as general manager of Alila Hinu Bay, I bring that same passion every day, ensuring every guest feels the warmth and care my father instilled in me.
What challenges are you facing in Oman?
Oman is a breathtaking natural wonder, known for the exceptional warmth of its people and unmatched hospitality. Salalah stands out as a hidden gem, offering lush landscapes, pristine beaches and captivating cultural heritage for visitors. With these attractions, Salalah offers the perfect escape for couples, families and individuals seeking peaceful, rejuvenating retreats away from the crowds. However, while tourism peaks in fall and winter, Salalah faces challenges due to significant seasonal fluctuations. Therefore, by positioning itself as a year-round destination, Salalah can overcome these challenges and increase visitor numbers significantly.
Additionally, expanding international flight connectivity will make Salalah more accessible and attractive, helping to attract visitors year-round. Promoting off-season experiences, local events and highlighting diverse activities will help Salalah maintain a steady flow of visitors. Finally, coupled with strategic marketing and infrastructure development, Salalah can elevate its global profile and attract more tourists.
What sets your property apart from the competition in Oman?
Alila Hinu Bay, a barefoot luxury resort in Oman, offers a unique combination of sustainability, wellness, and personalized service. Nestled between the sea and mountains, it emphasizes eco-friendly architecture and operations, ensuring guests engage in meaningful sustainability initiatives. Additionally, the resort’s wellness offerings include spa treatments, yoga and meditation. It provides a holistic approach to relaxation and rejuvenation for visitors. Moreover, Alila Hinu Bay creates immersive cultural experiences, from exploring Omani heritage to engaging in thrilling and unforgettable sea adventures. Furthermore, its culinary experiences highlight local flavors, with creative touches like Camel milksology, ensuring memorable dining. Lastly, with a strong focus on service excellence and bleisure options, the resort delivers deeply enriching and productive stays.
As the newly appointed general manager, what are your plans for the property?
Our vision is to further elevate the property, transforming it into a beacon of sustainable luxury and wellness for guests. We are fully committed to expanding our sustainability initiatives, implementing exciting projects such as introducing a hydroponic farm. This hydroponic farm will grow fresh, local produce, while establishing an apiary will provide delicious Dhofari honey for our guests. These efforts will contribute to our eco-conscious initiatives, providing visitors with a taste of Oman’s rich natural resources.
On the wellness front, we’re evolving our offerings by creating unique retreat programs focusing on holistic well-being and personal transformation. Specifically, we plan to introduce sound baths and personalized wellness journeys designed to nurture both body and mind. Additionally, we intend to invite celebrated names in wellness, sustainability, and culinary expertise to host exclusive retreats and dining experiences. Thus, this will further enhance the transformative experiences we offer our guests, ensuring memorable stays at our resort.
Overall, these initiatives will not only differentiate us but also align with Alila’s core values and principles. Ultimately, we aim to create a sanctuary where guests can connect meaningfully with nature, culture and themselves during their stay.
