The Zahara Group

What The Zahara Group does

The Zahara Group is a privately-held Omani travel and tourism conglomerate founded in 1971 and headquartered in Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman, operating as the parent organization for a diversified portfolio of travel, hospitality, and franchise businesses. The group's core operations span four interconnected verticals: (1) travel services through Zahara Travel (ticketing and corporate travel management), Zahara Tours (specialized inbound destination management), Zahara Holidays (outbound tour packages), and Bike and Hike Oman (adventure tourism); (2) owned hospitality through The View Oman (an eco-luxury mountain resort in Al Hamra, 1,450m elevation, 30 rooms) and Arabian Nights Resort & Spa (a luxury desert resort in Bidiya, launched 2021); (3) franchise operations including sole-representative rights in Oman for American Express (since 1982), DHL Worldwide Express (since 1978), AVIS car rental (since 1982), and Aerotel airport hotel; and (4) airport services and airline representation through subsidiary Muscat International Services LLC, acting as General Sales Agent for Indigo, Cebu Pacific, Flynas, and SunExpress Airlines, plus a joint venture with Plaza Premium Group operating airport lounges at Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport.

The business model is primarily transaction-fee and commission-based, with revenue generated from GDS airline ticketing commissions, tour package sales, resort accommodation, franchise service fees, car rental transactions, and corporate travel management fees. The group also derives revenue from airport lounge operations and GSA commissions on airline ticket sales. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales to corporate accounts (including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs via the American Express partnership), retail outlets (The Walk, Al Mouj Muscat), B2B partnerships with international tour operators (Dertour, Holiday Maker Tours AG), and active participation in industry trade events (World Travel Market London, Arabian Travel Market Dubai). Technology infrastructure is built on standard Global Distribution System connectivity for airline reservations and in-house systems for airport services, with ISO 9001 quality certification and Travelife sustainability certification. The company is led by CEO Gautam Broota and serves corporate travelers, leisure travelers, MICE delegates, transit guests, and destination wedding groups across Oman and international source markets including India and Europe.

Name

The Zahara Group

Legal name

Zahara Travel and Service Bureau LLC

Website

https://thezaharagroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Zahara Group is a privately-held Omani travel and tourism conglomerate founded in 1971, operating travel agencies, inbound and outbound tour operations, two owned resorts, and sole-representative franchises in Oman for American Express, DHL, AVIS, and Aerotel, serving corporate, leisure, and MICE travelers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel and Tourism Services

NAICS

Travel Agencies (561510), Tour Operators (56152), Management of Companies and Enterprises (5511)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Online/Hybrid Corporate Travel Agencies (Self-Booking + Support) (THAKACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Travel Agencies (THAKAFAA), Desert Luxury Resorts (THAGACAC), Desert & Dune Nature Experiences (THAJAIAG)

Keywords

• Travel management services
• Inbound destination management
• Corporate travel management
• Aviation ground handling
• Hospitality resort operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Ruwi

HQ country

Oman

HQ region

Middle East

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Airline Ticketing and GDS Commissions: Revenue from ticket sales across multiple airline partners including American Express representative services, processing fees from airline bookings, and commission earnings from carriers like Emirates, Etihad, and others.
2. Tour Packages and Travel Services: Inbound tourism (Zahara Tours), outbound holidays (Zahara Holidays), adventure tourism (Bike and Hike Oman), and MICE services generating package revenues.
3. Car Rental Operations: AVIS Oman franchise providing rent-a-car services across Oman.
4. Airport Services and Lounges: Plaza Premium Lounge operations at Muscat and Salalah airports through joint venture with Plaza Premium Group. Airport supervision and ground handling services through Muscat International Services LLC.
5. Hospitality Operations: Revenue from The View Oman eco-luxury resort and Arabian Nights Resort & Spa luxury desert resort.
6. Service Fees: Travel management and service fees charged to corporate clients for comprehensive travel solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Zahara Group is a diversified Omani travel and tourism conglomerate providing corporate and leisure travel management, inbound and outbound tour operations, adventure tourism, car rental (AVIS franchise), airport hospitality (Plaza Premium Lounges and Aerotel), GSA airline representation, and franchise courier and financial services (DHL and American Express). It also owns and operates two resort properties — The View Oman (eco-luxury mountain resort) and Arabian Nights Resort & Spa (luxury desert resort).

Product overview

The Zahara Group is a diversified travel and tourism conglomerate operating as a platform of interconnected brands and franchises. The core offerings include Zahara Travel (flagship travel agency), Zahara Tours (specialized inbound destination management), and Zahara Holidays (outbound vacation packages), supplemented by adventure tourism through Bike and Hike Oman, hospitality properties including The View Oman eco-luxury mountain resort and Arabian Nights Resort & Spa luxury desert resort, plus franchise operations including AVIS Oman car rental, DHL express courier, American Express financial services, Aerotel Muscat airport hotel, and Plaza Premium airport lounges. Through Muscat International Services LLC, the group also provides GSA airline representation and airport supervision services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over millions of passengers managed since 1971
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Association of Early Intervention for Children with DisabilityminorOthers · 15 November 2022CSR partnership for cultural excursions for specially-abled children, including visits to National Museum and Al Ahlam Palace. Also partner for Corporate Fitness Challenge charity contributions.
• Ministry of Health, Sultanate of OmanminorOthers · 1 August 2022CSR partnership for blood donation drives organized at Zahara Conference Hall. Blood donation campaign aims to replenish Blood Bank supplies and ensure no shortages.
• Meishang International GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2018Collaboration with prominent Chinese integrated investment enterprise to develop Chinese tourism to Oman. Meishang Group provides access to extensive partner network in China, working with Zahara to develop unique requirements for Chinese travelers and attract sustained growth in Chinese tourism to Oman.
• MCI Middle EastcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2017Strategic partnership to drive and develop Oman's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) sector. With MCI's global expertise and Zahara's local knowledge, the partnership designs innovative programs and products to enhance the experience of conducting meetings in Oman, aligning with Oman Vision 2040.
• Plaza Premium GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2016Joint venture for operating Plaza Premium Lounges at Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport. Zahara Airport Services (part of Zahara Group) operates the lounges in partnership with Plaza Premium Group, the global pioneer in premium airport services operating in 130+ locations across 35 airports globally.
• Indigo AirlinesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2011GSA representation through Muscat International Services LLC (MIS) for Indigo Airlines operations at Oman airports. MIS provides full commercial representation, route development, and market development.
• Flynas AirlinemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2011GSA representation through Muscat International Services LLC (MIS) for Flynas Airline at Oman airports.
• Cebu PacificmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2011GSA representation through Muscat International Services LLC (MIS) for Cebu Pacific airline operations.
• SunExpress AirlinesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2011GSA representation through Muscat International Services LLC (MIS) for SunExpress Airlines operations.
• AVIScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1982AVIS Oman franchise providing car rental services across Oman. AVIS is operated under the umbrella of Zahara Travel Group in the Sultanate.
• DHL Worldwide ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1978Sole representative for DHL Worldwide Express in Oman since 1978, providing international courier and express delivery services.
• American Express International InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1976Sole representative in the Sultanate of Oman for American Express International Inc. Provides global corporate card and travel management services, serving clients like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.
• AerotelmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSole representative for Aerotel in Muscat, providing airport hotel services.
• Environment Society of Oman (ESO)minorOthersCSR partner for environmental initiatives including Al Mouj Muscat Marathon support and charity walks. Proceeds from fitness events support ESO.
• Oman Diabetes AssociationminorOthersCSR partner for Al Mouj Muscat Marathon events, with part of proceeds going to support the association's work.
• Dar Al AttaminorOthersCharitable organization partnered for walkathon towards charity in 2017.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas: Operates luxury desert and mountain resorts across the Middle East (e.g., Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman), directly comparable to The View Oman and Arabian Nights Resort & Spa in the eco-luxury and desert-resort niche.
• MCI Group: Strategic partner for Oman's MICE sector since 2017; a global meetings and events leader whose partnership model and Oman market entry is structurally comparable to Zahara's MICE ambitions.
• Kanoo Travel: Regional GCC travel management company serving corporate and leisure clients across the Gulf, with comparable multi-country corporate travel agency and tour operator offerings and a similar franchise-based model.
• Galadari International Travel Services: UAE-based travel agency and tour operator offering corporate travel management, airline representation, and inbound tourism services comparable to Zahara's MIS/GSA and corporate travel functions.
• Plaza Premium Group: Joint venture partner in airport lounge operations at Muscat and Salalah airports; operates premium airport hospitality globally, making it both partner and structural comp for Zahara's airport services revenue stream.
• Nakhal Travel & Tourism: Oman-based travel agency and tour operator directly competing in the same domestic market with corporate travel management, ticketing, and inbound tourism services — the most directly comparable local competitor to Zahara Travel.

Broad incumbents

• AVIS Budget Group: Global parent brand of the AVIS car rental franchise that Zahara operates in Oman; comparable on the car rental product but at a vastly larger scale and global scope.
• dnata Travel: UAE-headquartered global travel management division of Emirates Group offering corporate travel, leisure, and inbound destination services across the Middle East — a much larger, well-capitalized regional incumbent competing for the same corporate and inbound clients.
• DHL Express: Global courier brand franchised by Zahara in Oman since 1978; comparable on the express logistics product but vastly larger scale — the parent whose franchise terms materially affect Zahara's courier revenue.

Emerging players

• Alila Hotels & Resorts: Luxury boutique resort brand operating eco-resorts in destination locations; comparable to The View Oman's positioning as an eco-luxury mountain resort with curated experiential offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheZaharaTravelGroup50thAnniversary

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Zahara Group