Oman Opens Hawana Hospitality Centre to Train Youth for Tourism Jobs

Muriya Tourism Development, together with the Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), has opened the Hawana Hospitality Centre at Hawana Salalah. This project was launched in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Oman Tourism College.

The new centre is part of a wider plan to support young Omanis, give them strong career opportunities, and prepare them to play a leading role in the country’s fast-growing tourism and hospitality sector.

To mark the opening, OMRAN also launched the second edition of Midhyaf, its main training programme for Omani youth. The goal is simple: to train young people with real skills and help them find jobs in hotels and resorts across the Sultanate.

A New Chapter for Oman’s Tourism

Tourism is one of the most important industries for Oman’s future. It not only brings visitors from around the world but also creates jobs for young Omanis. With the launch of the Hawana Hospitality Centre, the country has taken another big step toward achieving the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on sustainable growth and economic diversification.

The centre was built by Muriya Tourism Development and will be run by Oman Tourism College. This ensures that students receive both academic learning and real-world training. The idea is to give Omani youth the skills to succeed in the global tourism market while keeping the local workforce at the heart of the industry.

Midhyaf: Building Careers for Omani Youth

The first programme offered at the new centre is the second edition of Midhyaf. It has welcomed 70 Omani trainees, mostly recent high school graduates, who will spend six to nine months in the programme.

The curriculum is designed by Oman Tourism College and covers three key areas:

• Culinary Arts – training in food preparation, cooking skills, and kitchen operations.
• Food and Beverage Service – focusing on guest service, dining etiquette, and restaurant management.
• Front Office Operations – preparing trainees for roles in guest reception and customer service.

What makes Midhyaf stand out is the mix of classroom learning and hands-on training. Students will spend time working in real hotels at Hawana Salalah, such as Club by Fanar, Fanar Hotel & Residences, Salalah Rotana Resort, and Juweirah Boutique Hotel. They will also have placements at OMRAN Group’s Crowne Plaza Salalah and Crowne Plaza Duqm.

This combination ensures that graduates are not only skilled on paper but ready to perform on the job from day one.

Creating Jobs and Supporting Omanization

Oman has a clear goal of Omanization, which means preparing more locals to take up jobs across industries. Tourism is one of the top priorities in this plan, as it is set to grow rapidly in the coming years.

The Hawana Hospitality Centre and Midhyaf programme are designed to support this goal. Graduates of the programme will have guaranteed job opportunities at hotels in Salalah and across the Sultanate. This provides young Omanis with a clear career path in an industry that is becoming more important every year.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Mahad Said Baawain, Minister of Labour, said:

“This initiative contributes to creating a promising pathway for Omani youth to acquire new skills and secure job opportunities in one of Oman’s most promising sectors. It also reaffirms our commitment to aligning training programs with market needs and enhancing the participation of national talent in the workforce.”

This shows how the centre is not only about training but also about creating real jobs and matching education with market demand.

Muriya’s Role in Supporting Local Talent

Muriya Tourism Development, known for creating world-class destinations like Hawana Salalah and Jebel Sifah, has been a strong supporter of projects that combine business growth with social impact.

Engineer Wael al Lawati, CEO of Muriya Tourism Development, highlighted this commitment:

“We are proud to have developed the Hawana Hospitality Centre at Hawana Salalah, which is operated by the Oman Tourism Academy to deliver world-class training programs. This reflects our commitment to empowering local talent, creating pathways to employment, and supporting the long-term growth of Oman’s tourism sector.”

By building the centre, Muriya has shown how developers can contribute not just to infrastructure but also to people, skills, and community development.

OMRAN Group’s Strategy for Human Capital

OMRAN Group, the government’s arm for tourism development, is deeply invested in building Omani talent. Under its #IAmTourism strategy, it continues to launch initiatives that make tourism an attractive career path for locals.

Dr. Salim Al Flaiti, Group Head of HR Business Partners at OMRAN Group, said:

“The opening of the Hawana Hospitality Centre and the launch of the second edition of Midhyaf together mark a pivotal moment in our efforts to develop national talent. Through this program, we are building the skills and capabilities that will contribute to the sustainable growth of tourism and inspire young Omanis to join the sector.”

This statement highlights OMRAN’s mission to make tourism a sector led by Omanis, ensuring both quality service for visitors and long-term career opportunities for citizens.

The Academic Edge: Oman Tourism College

Behind the training programmes is Oman Tourism College, which brings academic knowledge and technical expertise. Its role is to design training modules that balance theory with practical industry needs.

Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Muhrzi, Dean of Oman Tourism College, added:

“Midhyaf reflects the power of collaboration between education and industry. With this program being the first at the new Hawana Hospitality Centre, we are helping create a new generation of Omani professionals who will raise service standards and contribute to the sector’s growth.”

By combining classroom lessons with hotel placements, the college ensures graduates are confident, professional, and industry-ready.

Hawana Salalah: The Ideal Location

Placing the hospitality centre in Hawana Salalah is no coincidence. As the largest integrated tourism complex in Oman, it offers a real-world environment where students can learn and practice.

Located between the mountains and the Arabian Sea, Hawana Salalah is home to:

• Beautiful beaches and lush greenery
• A vibrant marina filled with shops and dining spots
• Luxury hotels and resorts
• Residential communities blended with natural surroundings

This makes it not just a tourist destination but also a perfect training ground for hospitality students. They learn in an environment that attracts thousands of visitors every year, giving them real experience in customer service and hotel operations.

Aligned with Oman Vision 2040

The centre and the Midhyaf programme directly support the wider goals of Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on oil, and create more opportunities for locals.

By training Omani youth in hospitality, the programme ensures:

• More job opportunities for young people
• Higher standards of service in hotels and resorts
• Direct support for the growth of the tourism sector
• A sustainable path toward economic diversification

Graduates from the centre will not only work in hotels but also play a part in shaping Oman’s image as a world-class travel destination.