Jeevan Raphael
Managing Director
Muscat Sands Business LLC Caravan (Middle East)
Ghala, Sultanate of Oman
The willingness to take risks and the ability to tide over obstacles with courage and conviction can take one to greater heights, and the story of Jeevan Raphael exemplifies it. As the MD of Muscat Sands Business LLC Caravan (Middle East), a car rental and tourism establishment, he has been forging ahead in this segment for more than 17 years.
A Journey That Began in Kottayam, Kerala
Jeevan belongs to Kottayam, Kerala where he was born to the late Thomas Raphael, a businessman, and Aleyamma Raphael, a homemaker. His tryst with entrepreneurship came at the tender age of 13 when he had to take care of his father’s shop along with his studies following his dad’s untimely demise. At the age of 19, he had to sell it because of losses, and he began to supervise the bus services operated by his uncle, who was in Switzerland, for five years. He had to take care of five vehicles in Neendoor. Before his sojourn to the Gulf, Jeevan also worked as the driver of a private bus for three years. Interestingly, when he began to prosper because of hard work and dedication in the Sultanate, he bought that same bus.
It was in 2005 that he came to the Sultanate, and he started his career in Caravan as a driver and continued in that position for a couple of years. It was in 2007 that Caravan bagged an MB Petroleum contract, and his sponsor Rashid Sultan Al Touqi asked him if he could handle it all by himself. When Jeevan said ‘Yes’, little did he realise that it would become a turning point in life. He began the airport pick-up and drop service for the Petroleum company guests.
His sincerity, dedication, and hard work paid rich dividends so much so that more than a decade later, he bought Caravan along with its logo from its owner. After taking over the enterprise, he began operations with one car-a Toyota Yaris. The fact that the company now has a fleet of more than 240 cars and five branches, including one in Salalah, speaks volumes about his success. Jeevan has also diversified his business by foraying into inbound and outbound tours. All the sweat and sleepless nights have brought him unprecedented success, and he now belongs to the proud fraternity of businessmen who hold a Golden Visa issued by the Sultanate.
The man who once worked as a bus driver began his own bus service back home when he was 26. Today, he is the proud owner of seven private buses that ply on the Kottayam-Changanassery route and three that operate on the Kottayam-Kainadi route.
It was in 2023 that Jeevan started another car rental firm named Gulf Wave Investment LLC. It is now known as Carvent, which is fully managed by his son Alan Jeevan.
About Caravan
Muscat Sands Business LLC (Caravan) is a Travel, Tourism & Rent a Car company which was founded in 2008 in Muscat. It grew up by serving our customers by offering comfort and reliability. The company provides a unique experience to each customer by providing safe, smart, and enjoyable packages.
Caravan has a team of highly professional employees for quick response and support and expert drivers to provide a sustainable tourism experience. Its success factor rests on its expert drivers, quick response and support service, transparent operations, sustainable tourism, and customer satisfaction.
Caravan’s services include:
- Airport Transfer: At cheap and competitive rates, the company provides airport transfer services
- Limousine Service: They have limos for visitors who wish to soak in the sights of the vibrant city from the plush confines of the vehicle.
- City Tours: There are professional chauffeurs who take tourists around the city and put on the garb of guides as well.
- Rent a Car: At affordable rates and excellent service, Caravan offers a whole fleet of cars of various models that can be taken on rent.
- Dolphin Watching: The company also organizes cruises to watch dolphins somersaulting in the azure waters.
- Desert Drive: There are excellent XUVs and experienced drivers behind the wheel for a thrilling adventure on the dunes.
- Group Transporting: Caravan also provides transportation services for big and small groups of visitors.
Family and Passion
Jeevan’s better half is Tillymol, a nurse by profession. She, too, came to Oman as a nurse in Sultan Qaboos Hospital, where she was posted at the Paediatric Department. It was with the big support of his wife that he was able to take the plunge into business in the country. Their son Alan Jeevan, who holds an MBA in Finance, runs Carvent, a car rental company, in the footsteps of his father. Their daughter Aleena Maria Jeevan is a third-year BSc Psychology student at KE College Mannananam.
Contact Information
PO Box: 1673, PC: 114, Al Oman Street, Ghala, Oman
Mob: +968 91409479
