Marmoom Reserve will take tourism ahead in leaps and bounds
The Marmoom Project is a good effort to make these kinds of activities more accessible and affordable for the public FADI HACHICHO Founder, Adventurati Outdoor
A desert park covering 10 per cent of Dubai’s total landscape has been welcomed by adventurists, who say the emirate is edging towards a new era of outdoor tourism.
The Government has announced the Marmoom Reserve project will be the UAE’s first unfenced desert conservation area when it officially opens in 2030.
It will host more than 20 sporting events every year, and be an ideal destination for visitors who want to learn more about desert wildlife and experience its natural beauty.
Fadi Hachicho, founder of Dubai tour operator Adventurati Outdoor, said the project marks a new dawn of tourism potential.
“As a tour company we are focused on rock climbing, hiking and canyoning but we know there is a huge demand from people wanting to get outside and experience the desert in different ways,” Mr Hachicho said.
“More people have to realise the potential for tourism in the desert, with safaris and camping trips. There is huge potential for growth. People tell us hiking is the most popular activity and that usually develops into other sports, such as climbing.
“There are no fresh water streams or rivers here, so people have to carry their own water supplies, which is part of the challenge. There are very few recognised trails or routes, so there is plenty of room for development in this area,” Mr Hachicho said.
Marmoom will hope to replicate the success of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, a nature reserve of 225 square kilometres established in 2002 and home to Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa.
That fenced-in wilderness has been a protected habitat for a variety of indigenous mammals, including hedgehogs, shrews, gazelles, Arabian hares and at least three species of bats.
Mr Hachicho is also an outdoor tourism consultant with Ras Al Khaimah, which is enjoying huge growth in this area.
“The Marmoom Project is a good effort to make these kinds of activities more accessible and affordable for the public, and once they get into these kind of sports they can develop their skills,” he said. “We are witnessing the development of the outdoor community and the UAE as an adventure destination, especially with people from Bahrain and Kuwait, where there is not the same landscape as here.
“Oman, Saudi Arabia and Ras Al Khaimah are becoming very popular with adventure tourists, so there is a lot of competition,” Mr Hachicho said.
“This is a new era for adventure travel, and it is helping create a lot of new outdoor activity clubs.”
The reserve will be home to more than 204 species of native birds, 158 species of migratory birds and 10km of lakes.
It will include 10 animal and bird observation platforms, star and sunset observations decks, areas for yoga, an outdoor theatre, all powered by a 5,000-megawatt solar power complex.
“As long as the Government regulates the industry properly with licences and safety workshops for those working in the industry, it can continue to grow safely,” Mr Hachicho said.
“The bright lights of the city will always be popular with tourists, but this offers something different.”