SAHEL AL EMARAT

“Sahel Al Emarat - a Coastal Destination that Pays Homage to Local Heritage & Landscape.”

Looking at the UAE’s myriad of attractions, one might pause to wonder what, if anything, is still left to achieve for this ever-evolving country that unveils new concepts and engineering marvels repeatedly. The answer? A Riviera, perhaps – but not for long. The UAE is soon set to witness Sahel Al Emarat – a magnificent ode to our heritage and vision for our future, in the shape of a stretch of land on a virgin coastline between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, primed to be a magnificent second-home destination.

Offering an authentic and unparalleled experience which combines culture, living and tourism; while embodying the UAE’s rich heritage, the first coastal destination of its kind will effectively merge the urban centers through its offering of an azure oceanfront. It is poised to give investors the opportunity to experience a family vacation destination that will grow in value over the years; this, whilst simultaneously enhancing tourism and the overall economy of the region.

Rivieras like Sahel Al Emarat typically provide small peripheral towns and communities access to economic gains that agglomerate in urban centers, providing a cultural journey that discerning guests appreciate as a ‘living museum’. In an academic study on the Albanian Riviera, Joijc (2017) noted that “in the field of cultural tourism, there is a shift away from static museums and monuments towards a more interactive and intangible way of experiencing…cultural tourists seek out the defining elements of the atmosphere or places even more than before.”

The singularity of this type of tourism is that it builds on the authenticity of remote destinations, local knowledge, skills, heritage and traditions. Taking in consideration the villages extended along the coast between the UAE’s two major cities and the historic background of the region, there is a lot of potential here in bolstering additional tourism through a strong second-home market that is one-of-a-kind. Cultural tourism along Sahel Al Emarat, for example, can create further contact with local culture and emphasize everyday traditions in a way that is exciting to Emirati residents as well as expatriates and outsiders, whilst simultaneously boosting the nation’s GDP.

With tourism expected to grow - the World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that in 2017 the sector generated 10.4 percent of the global GDP and created 313 million jobs – the vision for Sahel Al Emarat represents an opportunity to introduce visitors to the country’s traditions and crafts while stimulating local and international awareness to its conservation as well as the preservation of a bio-diverse stretch of coastline

At present, there is great potential to offer a cohesive journey of diverse experiences along our shore, and this coastal destination will provide a novel opportunity to travelers who will likely come from around the world, further enhancing the UAE’s already well-developed hospitality landscape.

It is anticipated that the destination will not only unlock the potential for residents and visitors through its focus on the UAE’s rich heritage but also by embracing the beauty of the natural surroundings while recognizing its fragility and preserving it for the generations yet to come. It will also offer visitors an experience that pays homage to the UAE’s maritime environment and presents it in a truly holistic and wholesome manner.

IMKAN will plant the seed for this new lifestyle concept using its unique approach to community-building. Its first coastal development will merge the natural and urban landscape through designs and experiences new and unique to the country, encouraging visitors and second-home buyers to appreciate and enjoy this soulful place as Emiratis have done for years. Revenue from this sub-sector of the tourism industry is often allocated back into the restoration and expansion of sites, improving the local economy and employment levels whilst simultaneously paving the way for increased tourism in the future. In many cases, the knock-on effect of this can be felt far beyond a country’s borders. This is one of the many reasons we welcome the notion of a destination such as Sahel Al Emarat to the UAE. For more information, please visit www.SahelAlEmarat.com