The proposed eco-lodges in Hatta, UAEMeraas
Signs offering western junk, a Route 66 diner, Winston cigarettes and oregano adorn plans for a visitor center welcoming international travellers to an ecotourism destination set in the scenic mountainside outside… Dubai?
As the UAE looks to diversify its tourism sector, developer Meraas released photos this month of projects bringing the kitschy charm of Western USA to the Emirati mountains. In a world where America is handing out fewer visitor visas, who needs California when Dubai is offering Joshua Tree 2.0?
The proposed Hatta visitor centerMeraas
International tourist numbers in America have dropped 6% in the past three years. Since President Trump’s election, the US has granted fewer visitor visas to not only Muslims, but people all over the globe. The reason for this is likely a combination of more rejections and fewer applicants.
In contrast, the UAE welcomed a record-breaking number of international tourists last year, growing 16.5% in total since 2015. This boost is due to intensive tourism initiatives launched to reach the government’s goal of 20 million visitors by year 2020. At this rate, the industry is expected to nearly double in the next ten years as it rapidly expands beyond malls and skyscrapers.
To grow the tourism industry, the Emirates has made efforts to diversify its offerings: adventure parks now bring in the adrenaline junkies, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened last year for culture lovers. In late 2016, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced a $3.5 million initiative to boost tourism in the mountain town of Hatta, just over an hour drive from Dubai. To support this initiative, Meraas is now introducing ecotourism.
The proposed Hatta sign sits on a hill like California’s Hollywood sign.Meraas
To welcome visitors to the area, white letters spelling HATTA will be mounted on a hillside above the visitor’s center. Mountain lodges and a trailer-style hotel will house guests who prefer a modern and luxurious style of camping.
To be eco-friendly, the developer insists in a press release that the project will be constructed without “compromising the geological integrity of the area or impacting the surrounding communities and ecosystems.” The area already hosts bike paths, hiking trails and a lake to swim or kayak. At night, visitors will be able to see a full view of the stars.
The proposed trailer-style hotel evokes ‘glamping’Meraas
While the photos evoke the American West, Meraas is clear that the projects will support authentic Emirati culture. Hatta is one of the few tourism destinations in the UAE that celebrates Emirati heritage. It houses a centuries-old Heritage Village that has been restored for tourists to envision traditional life in the mountains.
In addition, Meraas will develop land a respectful distance away from local communities “to preserve the privacy and lifestyle of the people of Hatta.” But this doesn’t mean the locals won’t be involved with the development.
His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman at Meraas, said that they are working with the people of Hatta to make sure “the area is equipped to receive more visitors to historical, social and cultural heritage sites, as well as indulge in a distinctive shopping experience of handicrafts and agriculture products and enjoy authentic Emirati cuisine in Hatta.” With this in mind, it seems the signs on the Hatta visitor center will be advertising local goods rather than “western junk.”
These developments are set for quick completion by the end of this year. After that, a second phase of Meraas projects will begin, bringing more hospitality and retail spaces to the area. It may not be the American West, but as construction begins on rapidly expanding the tourism industry outside Dubai, the initiative has a slight taste of manifest destiny.