Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum tours the project site in Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched a tourism project to develop the countryside and wilderness of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed announced the news in Twitter on Sunday.

He said, “We adopted a comprehensive plan for the countryside and wilderness of Dubai on an area of 2,216 square kilometres of the area of Dubai, and it includes areas such as Al-Lusaili, Lehbab, Al-Marram, Al-Faqaa, Al-Aweer and others. We have the most beautiful city in the world… and our next goal is to make the countryside and wilderness of Dubai among the most enjoyable and beautiful.”

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He also said, “The development of the countryside and wilderness of Dubai includes a 100 km tourist path, the first of its kind in the region, natural reserves, stations for desert sports, and development initiatives that serve the people of these areas. A different and new tourism experience will be provided in the countryside and wilderness of Dubai.”

A different and new tourism experience will be provided in the countryside and wilderness of Dubai.

The Master Plan seeks to preserve the nature of areas including Lehbab, Margham, Al Marmoom, Al Lisaili, Al Faqaa and Al Aweer, and provide a variety of services and amenities to residents and visitors to enhance their wellbeing.

It also aims to offer a unique touristic experience and transform each area into a key tourist destination in the emirate. Sheikh Mohammed also approved a host of development projects and initiatives to support the development of countryside and rural areas in Dubai.

The projects will seek to protect natural reserves and archaeological sites, support farmers and local products and create investment opportunities for inhabitants. The Supreme Committee for Urban Planning will be in charge of implementing and governing the projects.

His Highness approved the Plan during his visit to the Dunes Platform at Saih Al Salam, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance.

His Highness was received by Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner-General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning, and Wellbeing Pillar and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning.

Sheikh Mohammed was then briefed in detail about the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan and the Saih Al Salam Scenic Route project.

Sheikh Mohammed said, “We have issued directives to ensure the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan brings direct economic returns for the people residing in these areas.”

The Master Plan will establish a distinct identity for each district, support farmers by offering them opportunities to sell their local products, and transform Dubai’s countryside and rural areas into key tourist destinations.

The Plan aims to improve the efficiency of public facilities and services for residents and visitors and develop public parks and traffic solutions to ease mobility. It also seeks to develop sustainable transportation systems that operate direct bus trips from the main stations to these areas and provide designated zones for bicycles and scooters.

His Highness also approved the Saih Al Salam Scenic Route (Route 1) project, a 100km-long road for vehicles and bicycles. To be built based on the Scenic Route concept, the project will include facilities to provide a holistic tourism experience. It aims to increase the number of activities, events and services that promote desert tourism.

The Route 1 project also includes several projects and initiatives, such as providing facilities and services to visitors along the route, offering trips to the ancient sites of Saruq Al Hadid and Al Marmoom Heritage Village, and other experiences including horse and camel riding and desert walks.

As part of the project, camps and lodges in the form of glass domes with panoramic windows will be built along with open lounges that will allow people to enjoy their stay beside the existing lakes in the area. The project includes providing vertical balloons to offer an elevated view of the lakes with an opportunity to take pictures. In addition, kayak boats will be available and souvenir shops and cafes close to the lakes to enrich the visitors’ experience.

The UAE’s tourism sector has performed incredibly, according to international reports that highlighted a rise in the number of tourists arriving through the country’s airports, signalling a promising tourism season for the sector, as the launch of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign approaches.

The UAE was ranked 11th globally on the list of the highest-performing tourism sector worldwide, which is issued by ForwardKeys, a Spanish company that specialises in analysing travel and aviation databases in cooperation with the World Travel Market.

The report showed that the UAE’s tourism figures are close to pre-pandemic levels and noted that the country would benefit from the momentum seen across the Gulf region as the 2022 World Cup approaches.