BEST TOURISM VILLAGES

The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative was launched to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and their local values and activities, including local gastronomy. A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted the recognition in 2021. All of them stand out for their natural and cultural resources as well as for their innovative and transformative actions and commitment to the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Middle East villages receiving recognition included Bkassine, Lebanon; Misfat Al Abriyeen, Oman; Mustafapaşa, Turkey; Rijal Alma’a, Saudi Arabia; Sidi Kaouki, Morocco; and Taraklı, Turkey.

Uae

ECO-TOURISM HOTSPOTS

Mleiha is one of the UAE’s most important historical sites where visitors step back in time to learn about the settlers in the region during the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, Iron, pre-Islamic, Islamic, and modern ages. At Mleiha Archaeological Centre, guests venture deep into the deserts of Sharjah and uncover the secrets of the region’s ancient Bedouin culture through intriguing information, exhilarating recreational activities and breathtaking natural landscapes. Visitors can stay the night at eco-luxe camping resort, Moon Retreat, with luxury tent and dome accommodation, some with private pools, and signature nature-inspired experiences including epic stargazing opportunities, hiking trails and a trip to Mleiha Archaeological Centre.

providing a suitable environment for a remarkable biodiversity of flora, fauna and animals. It is an important habitat for breeding many rare birds such as the local Arabian Collared Kingfisher and is also popular for a range of eco-tourism pursuits, including kayaking.

The Phase 1 development amounts to more than $15 billion invested in AlUla’s core 20km historical area. This incorporates social, economic and sustainability projects in five hubs with a focus on infrastructure, hospitality, arts and culture, and community development. The partnerships will enhance business and investment opportunities from 2022, accelerating the revitalisation of AlUla as a responsible, sustainable, and community-inclusive destination.

ECO-TOURISM IN THE UAE

The UAE’s sustainable development plans for tourism are also far-reaching. In 2019, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s (MoCCAE) launched a plan to position the emirates as a leading global ecotourism destination ranking among the most ambitious of its kind initiated anywhere in the world. The National

Ajman

Al Zorah Reserve, located in the northern region of Ajman, is a protected area of more than one-million-squaremetres of natural mangrove forest and is a vibrant ecosystem for birds, namely flamingos, and marine life.

Masfout, famous for its agricultural land, marble, and rugged backdrop, is a superb destination for hikers. With its altitude and cooler temperatures, it attracts walkers and mountain bikers, plus its valleys are ideal for a picnic.

Mangrove Beach Khor Al Yeefrah is popular for its natural beauty and mangrove beaches and aims to promote environmental tourism. The mangrove forests feature magnificent red dunes where bird watchers can spot flocks of many bird species. The beach offers unique opportunities for relaxation, camping, caravans, and activities such as kayaking, beach tennis, jet-skiing and paragliding.

Ecotourism Project, unveiled by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, promotes the UAE’s growing portfolio of eco-tourism attractions in three phases focusing on environmental, economic, and social developments. It includes showcasing the country’s 43 protected natural areas and promoting sustainable tourism options covering eco-friendly flights, hotels, beaches, and campsites.

The UAE boasts one of the largest ratios of protected areas per land mass in the world. On average, protected natural areas listed by 130 countries worldwide constitute just 5% of the total surface of the earth. However, in the UAE, protected areas account for 14% of the entire country. One of the most significant additions to the UAE’s protected areas is the Marmoom Reserve project, located on the outskirts of Dubai and covering more than 10% of the emirate’s total land area. The reserve provides shelter for a wide variety of endangered animals and birds, combining education, environmental awareness, tourism, and leisure.

It is also an incubator for the largest plant nursery in the UAE, covering an area of 40 hectares. The area is also location of the 3,000-year-old Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site.

In neighbouring Abu Dhabi, the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi has developed several sustainable eco-tourism initiatives, including the Al Reem Mangroves preservation project; Jubail Mangrove Park, an educational, research and leisure destination; Jebel Hafit, providing a safe path for visitors, hikers, and cyclists to enjoy views from the mountains; the Sweihan Desert area – a haven for desert lovers and campers; exquisite marine protected areas; and The Hawksbill Turtle Conservation Programme. The

UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways, is taking this a step further, collaborating with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi to launch the Etihad Mangrove Forest, offering guests, corporate accounts and partners the opportunity to adopt Abu Dhabi’s mangroves to reduce their carbon footprint. Using a digital platform, guests, and partners to invest in carbon removal for AED 18.5 (US$5) per mangrove, where the individual trees can be tracked online or through an app. The guest receives a unique tree code, geolocation, and virtual access to their tree for the next 10 years. The Etihad Mangroves Forest site has been chosen specifically due to its protected status under the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, which guarantees its ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere for at least 100 years. Using the platform’s app, investors can ‘chat’ with their chatbot-enabled tree, while also being able to track every tree with satellite maps and access data, including CO2 consumption metrics, which can be tracked and offset against emissions.

Dubai Can

In addition to eco-tourism and conservation targets, the MOCCAE is leading coordinated efforts to execute the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, which is aligned to the Paris Agreement, calling on countries to prepare long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 C compared to preindustrial levels.

The UAE’s national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 would make the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) country to do so.

This is in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the UAE into a “green economy for sustainable development”.

At emirate level, Dubai has ambitions to become one of the world’s most sustainable cities, as set out in the Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan.

This sustainable urban development strategy focuses on enhancing people’s happiness and quality of life and reinforcing Dubai as a global destination for citizens, residents, and visitors over the next 20 years.

Under the plan, by 2040, green and recreational spaces will have doubled; nature reserves and rural natural areas will comprise 60% of land; several green corridors will link service areas, residential areas, and workplaces: the movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and sustainable mobility means across the city will be facilitated; land area for hotels and tourist activities will increase by 134% and for commercial activities and the length of public beaches will increase by 400%.

The Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan also integrates the Hatta Development Plan, which provides for the comprehensive development of the area. Recent tourism initiatives aligned to both the urban masterplan

Unwto Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili

The UNWTO has launched a new set of guidelines to help governments and businesses better address the needs of women in the tourism sector. They aim to ensure an inclusive and resilient recovery from the impacts of the pandemic and recognise that, given the disproportionate loss of employment suffered by women, as well as the high proportion of women workers within tourism and their concentration in lower-skilled and lower-paid jobs, plans for the sector’s restart and recovery must address their specific needs.

and UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategy include ‘Dubai Can’, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, to encourage residents and visitors to turn the tide on plastic waste. The citywide strategy, which is being implemented by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), inspires mass action to actively reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles, motivate individuals to undertake simple changes such as using

The Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan integrates the Hatta Development Plan refillable water bottles and public water stations and installing water filters in their homes, offices, and schools.

It reinforces the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST), a public-private partnership, with the involvement of civil society, that aims to contribute to Dubai’s broader clean energy and sustainable development targets by embedding the principles of sustainability into all aspects of the tourism sector.

RAK’S RACE FOR LEADERSHIP

The Northern Emirates have outlined ambitious plans for sustainable tourism too.

In September, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announced its Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy, setting a target to become “the regional leader in environmentally conscious tourism by 2025”. The strategy maps out key steps for the emirate to secure long-term sustainability that will drive overall tourism growth objectives and contribute directly to national and international climate change and environmental policy commitments.

The guiding principles for Sustainable Tourism in Ras Al Khaimah include: delivering authentic tourism experiences through preservation and conservation; taking an industry wide focus that provides both economic productivity and sustainable development; improving the quality of life and wellbeing of citizens and residents with a community based approach; and setting environmental goals based on minimising the industry’s carbon footprint and contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, RAKTDA works with EarthCheck, the global environmental experts, to cocreate and implement sustainable practices that address key sustainability and climate change issues facing the tourism industry.

The authority also runs a scholarship programme with the American University of Ras Al Khaimah focused on tourism-related educational programming.

Furthermore, in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Public Services Department, the authority launched the ‘Green Hotels Rating’ 2021 initiative, taking place for the fourth consecutive year, which aims to achieve 100% integrated sustainability in all of Ras Al Khaimah’s hotels. RAKTDA also recently rolled out a high-impact investment initiative in partnership with Arton Capital, a leading government advisory company, to boost tourism and investment. SelectRAK provides an array of benefits to investors including long-term residency based on criteria outlined by the government. By enhancing the appeal of Ras Al Khaimah for investment, the initiative will help build all core economic sectors, including healthcare, hospitality, education, trade, and retail, in turn, creating new jobs and supporting domestic enterprises, says RAKTDA.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative At A Glance

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organisation in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. At time of press, the following progress had been made:

110

UNWTO member signatories

108mn

Plastic items eliminated across reporting businesses in 2020

804

Metric tonnes eliminated, the equivalent to 27 large shipping containers

74mn

Eliminated plastic items and packaging in hotel guest bathrooms (>451 metric tonnes)

34mn

Plastic items and packaging eliminated in hotel F&B (>352 metric tonnes)