Travel & Tourism

iSwiss Hedge Fund Invests in Salalah’s Future with Landmark Luxury Tourism Development

The investment fund led by Christopher Aleo announces a major hospitality project on Oman’s southern coast. Spanning more than 30 hectares and 206,000 square metres, the development aims to capitalise on one of the Middle East’s most unique year-round tourism destinations.

DUBAI – International investors continue to increase their exposure to Oman’s growing tourism sector, as the Sultanate positions itself as one of the Gulf’s most attractive destinations for long-term hospitality investment.

Among the latest projects announced is a major tourism development promoted by iSwiss Hedge Fund, the international investment fund led by Swiss banker and entrepreneur Christopher Aleo. The project will be located in Salalah, in Oman’s Dhofar Governorate, and represents one of the most significant private tourism investments recently announced in the region.

According to the group, the development will cover approximately 206,000 square metres and will be built on a coastal site exceeding 30 hectares overlooking the Arabian Sea. The project is being developed in partnership with local Omani entrepreneurs and one of the world's most experienced operators in the ultra-luxury tourism sector.

The investment follows more than three years of planning, structuring and feasibility work.

“This project has required more than three years of preparation,” said Christopher Aleo, Chief Executive Officer of iSwiss Hedge Fund. “We are particularly pleased with the outcome. It represents our second investment in the Sultanate of Oman following our earlier project in Musandam, a region that has exceeded our initial growth expectations.”

According to the company, the transaction was structured through a sophisticated real-estate securitisation framework involving entities in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. The structure enabled the future cash flows generated by the project to be partially monetised in advance, improving capital efficiency and reducing funding requirements during the construction phase.

Construction is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2027.

Aleo believes Salalah offers one of the most compelling hospitality opportunities currently available in the Middle East.

“From both a business and tourism perspective, Salalah is extraordinary,” he said. “The Khareef season is a unique phenomenon within the Arabian Peninsula. During the summer months, when much of the region experiences extreme temperatures, Salalah transforms into a green tropical oasis. This allows the destination to maintain tourism demand throughout the year and significantly reduces the traditional concept of a low season.”

Located in southern Oman, Salalah is internationally recognised for its annual Khareef monsoon season, which transforms the region’s landscape into lush greenery characterised by waterfalls, tropical vegetation and mild temperatures. The phenomenon attracts millions of visitors annually from across the Gulf region and increasingly from international markets.

The city is also supported by growing air connectivity. During the winter season, several European tour operators, including operators from Italy and Germany, operate direct charter flights to Salalah International Airport. During the Khareef period, visitor demand is primarily driven by travellers from the GCC and wider Middle East.

The investment aligns with Oman’s long-term economic diversification strategy, which seeks to strengthen tourism as a pillar of national growth while reducing dependence on hydrocarbons.

For iSwiss Hedge Fund, the development forms part of a broader investment strategy focused on hospitality, infrastructure and tourism projects in high-growth markets.

“We continue to believe that some of the most attractive investment opportunities are found in destinations that combine strong fundamentals with long-term growth potential,” Aleo added. “Salalah possesses both.”

If delivered according to schedule, the project is expected to become one of the most significant luxury hospitality developments announced in the Dhofar region in recent years, further reinforcing Oman’s growing reputation among international investors and tourism operators.