Not everyone wishes to check into a 5 star hotel when visiting places like Dubai known for its glitterati and high end staycations. Some are actually looking at getting to commune with nature, feel the wind on their face or the warm afterglow of a camp fire. At the same time you don’t want to be chucking behind a sand dune whenever nature’s call comes or sleep on uncomfortable sandy sheets under a hot tent in the scorching summer sun. For people who want camping but with a touch of luxury, try glamping or glamorous camping that’s catching on big time in the UAE. Hospitality agencies are leaving no stone unturned to provide you all the comforts without you having to fuss over the details. The result - you have a superb outdoor experience minus the stress!
Hatta is a small mountain town approximately 9 kms east of Dubai. This inconspicuous town is now taking the proverbial bull by the horns, by totally transforming and in turn boosting the region’s ecosystem by several leaps. The town previously launched 9 kms of hiking trails making it a glamping venue for tourists who want a 5 star experience under the stars. Wonders never cease because apparently this was only a small part of a much larger scheme. Here is how Hatta plans to give glamping a new lease of life.
UAE has taken a leaf from the page of Hollywood. Hatta will now see a Hollywood style sign erected on the Hajjar Mountains, grandly elevated for all to see just behind the glamping venue.
Glamping here just got a tad better with a new trailer style hotel coming up on the banks of the Hatta Dam. A standard design would include bed, kitchen, cabinets, espresso makers and solar heaters. The awning out front gives pleasant respite when the sun gets too much and the AC trailers mean you can get out of the sun when the heat becomes unbearable. It doesn’t stop at this because plans are underway to also construct a mountain lodge to give a picturesque view of the surrounding landscape.
Glamping and Ecotourism are a perfect fit. Because it is natural, it is also low impact and allows tourism to flourish without having an adverse impact on the environment. With glamping, people get educated on the importance of conservation as well. This is done by interacting with corporate bodies and businesses, which work together to meet the needs of the local environment towards conservation. The infrastructure used is recyclable, sustainable and in harmony with the environment.
Glampers are now not only revelling in nature's bountiful beauty, but the accommodation used is of sustainable material with minimal environmental consequence. When you start to love nature, you work even harder to preserve it. Die hard glampers are known to avoid air travel thus minimizing ozone pollution as well.
A number of glamping sites have opened up farm and trade fairs where farmers display their local produce. Thus glampers are motivated to buy fresh produce for consumption rather than using pre-packaged food which is full of preservative and increases litter and garbage.
For a few thousand Dirhams you could easily check into a plush and comfortable hotel but then you wouldn’t get to hear the gentle lapping of waves, feel the cool breeze on your face or experience the vivacity of the morning sun. With this we rest our case.
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