New tourism projects aim to drive visitation to Dubai’s Hatta enclave

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai, has announced a series of tourism projects for the enclave of Hatta.

Part of the Hatta development plan, the projects look to maximise the potential of the 1300 metre high Jebel Umm Al Nisour (Dubai mountain) and include artificial waterfalls, a 504 metre long chairlift to the peak, an observation deck, a hiking trail and a new international standard hotel.

In total, six new projects aimed at boosting tourism in Hatta - an enclave located 130 kilometres east of the city of Dubai near the border with the Sultanate of Oman - have been approved.

In addition to providing employment for young people living in the area, Hatta residents will also be allowed to build 200 holiday homes to support domestic tourism in district.

Announcing the projects this week, Sheikh Mohammed stated "in 2016, we started our development project in Hatta. Tourists doubled from 60,000 to one million in 2020, and the new projects by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will provide 500 jobs for young people of Hatta.

“The new holiday homes will provide an annual income of more than AED100 million for the people of the region. A decent life for our citizens will remain our goal in all our projects.

"Hatta is a model for small cities in the region. It has turned within a short period of time into one of the most important tourist destinations in the emirate, thanks to its different lifestyle. The development and tourism projects in Hatta will have a significant impact on promoting national tourism and providing a distinctive tourism and cultural experience for visitors and the community.”

The 'Dubai Mountain Peak' and 'Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls' project will be implemented by DEWA.

Image: The proposed Dubai Mountain Peak observation deck. Credit: Dubai Media Office.