He goes on to say that the property holds an important place in the local community, as well as with international travellers. “We have a lot of visitors returning here,” says Perrot, adding that when the hotel’s team shared on social media older pictures of the property, alone on its stretch of beach when it was first completed in 1977, they “received amazing responses”.
“We even heard from a lady from England who said she was born in room 505,” he continues. “So, if you ask me what the importance of the InterContinental is in Oman or Muscat, it’s [summed up by]the guest telling that story. The emotional connection makes the property special.”
As Perrot points out, other brands have now entered the Muscat and Oman markets, but Perrot is not fazed by this. “IHG is the largest operator today and has seven properties across three brands — Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental. We have just opened the fifth Crowne Plaza in the country, the Crowne Plaza Muscat – Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. We also have other projects in the pipeline,” he adds.
Perrot refers to a programme called Tanfeedh (the National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification), which was launched by the government and forms part of the country’s efforts to diversify sources of national income and fulfil the objectives of the Ninth Five Year Development Plan 2016 – 2020.
The programme aims to make it more straightforward for investors and brands to enter the Oman market, and to improve services such as visa processing. It also focuses on Omanisation.
Perrot says: “It’s about Omanisation and training Omanis to have the chance to show off their country, and promote the beauty that is here. IHG [...] has programmes that we are launching for our Omani colleagues, to help them to become the hoteliers and general managers of the future in the country. Our hotel is at 50% Omanisation today, and the goal is to continue this.”
Perrot is serious about this initiative, and adds that the promotion of local talent is important for the sustainability of the hospitality industry in any country. One of the markers of the success of the InterContinental Muscat’s Omanisation policy is the fact that the hotel’s doorman, Habib Aulad Thani (fondly known as Uncle Habib), won the title of Unsung Hero of the Year at the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2017.
“Uncle Habib winning the Unsung Hero award shows that in Oman you can have a gentleman at 75 years old still welcoming guests in his dishdasha and typical Omani uniform, and being a part of promoting Oman. That’s an inspiration for the younger generation,” Perrot says.
“We work alongside colleagues such as Uncle Habib to show that hotels are a great environment for young Omanis. One day there will be more Omanisation, and that will make this country very special compared to others in the region.”
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