Christopher Aleo Strengthens His Gulf Presence with a New Tourism Investment in Oman

New York-based iSwiss Hedge Fund announces a major hospitality and real estate development in Salalah. The project highlights growing international investor confidence in Oman and its long-term potential within the luxury tourism sector.

DUBAI – The Gulf region continues to rank among the world’s most dynamic destinations for tourism and hospitality investment. Against this backdrop, Christopher Aleo, Chief Executive Officer of iSwiss Hedge Fund, has announced a significant new project in the Sultanate of Oman.

The New York-headquartered investment fund, active in real estate, infrastructure and international tourism, has confirmed a major investment in Salalah, located in Oman’s Dhofar Governorate. The development is expected to become one of the most significant privately backed tourism projects announced in the region in recent years.

The project will cover approximately 206,000 square metres across a coastal site exceeding 30 hectares overlooking the Arabian Sea. The development is being undertaken through a partnership between iSwiss Hedge Fund, a leading international ultra-luxury tourism operator and a group of experienced Omani entrepreneurs active in the real estate and hospitality sectors.

According to the company, the financial structure behind the transaction was developed through a sophisticated real-estate securitisation process involving both the United Kingdom and Ireland. This structure enabled part of the project’s future cash flows to be monetised in advance, improving capital efficiency and optimising the overall development process.

“This is a project we have been working on for more than three years,” said Christopher Aleo. “We are extremely pleased with the outcome and with the partnerships established throughout this journey. Oman continues to demonstrate an exceptional ability to attract long-term investment and remains one of the most attractive markets in the region.”

For iSwiss Hedge Fund, this represents its second investment in the Sultanate. The group previously invested in the Musandam region, one of the Arabian Peninsula’s most spectacular destinations and an area that, according to management, is experiencing growth rates well above initial expectations.

Construction is expected to commence during the first quarter of 2027, while planning, design and regulatory approvals are already at an advanced stage.

One of the key reasons behind the selection of Salalah is its unique climate. Located in southern Oman, the city is internationally recognised for the Khareef season, an annual monsoon phenomenon that transforms the desert landscape into lush greenery characterised by tropical vegetation, waterfalls and remarkably mild temperatures.

“From both a tourism and business perspective, Salalah is an extraordinary destination,” Aleo explained. “During the summer months, when many destinations across the region experience extreme heat, Salalah offers a completely different climate. This allows the destination to attract visitors throughout the year and significantly reduces the traditional concept of a low season.”

In recent years, the Sultanate of Oman has intensified investment in tourism as part of its broader economic diversification strategy. The objective is to gradually reduce dependence on hydrocarbons while developing new engines of growth based on tourism, logistics, services and international investment.

Salalah is increasingly regarded as one of the Middle East’s most promising emerging tourism destinations. In addition to strong demand from GCC travellers during the Khareef season, the city benefits from direct international air connections and growing interest from European tour operators.

For iSwiss Hedge Fund, the investment forms part of a broader strategy focused on destinations with strong long-term growth potential and the ability to attract international tourism flows.

“We continue to believe that the future of luxury tourism lies in authentic, sustainable destinations that still offer significant growth opportunities,” Aleo concluded. “Oman possesses all of these characteristics, and we believe Salalah has the potential to become one of the leading tourism hubs in the region over the next decade.”

The investment further confirms growing international interest in the Sultanate and reinforces Oman’s position as one of the Middle East’s emerging frontiers for luxury hospitality and tourism development.