Abu Dhabi Unveils World’s First Desert Camps Classification System

Emirate Introduces Rural Tourism Licensing to Ensure Sector Quality

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has launched a new, world-first mandatory classification system for desert camps - one of the emirate’s fastest-growing leisure tourism sub-sectors.

Initially, a six-by-six kilometre site in the emirate’s Al Khatem district, close to its heritage heartland of Al Ain, will centralise Abu Dhabi’s existing desert camps operators, with five additional, dedicated sites within the emirate – all specifically chosen by ADTA – due to come online for future use by new operators in coming months.

The tailored classification system – conceived after extensive consultation with industry stakeholders and ADTA’s own Environmental Health and Safety Management System department, which provided assessment criteria – will be split into two categories: day camps and those offering overnight stays. The Al Khatem plot can facilitate operators in both categories.

“These new regulations will ensure that tourists get a positive experience of Abu Dhabi and all the touch points that come with it – this covers transport to the camp, interaction with locals, the quality of the food and the activities on offer. We will also make it mandatory for each camp to have an inspector who is first-aid trained to maintain standards,” said Nasser Al Reyami, Tourism Standards Director, ADTA.

“We’ve prepared a checklist that operators must meet to get their licence, and one of the requirements is to offer a minimum of five activities, from an approved list of 11. This includes henna demonstrations, falconry, camel riding and Ayala dancing; we are ensuring desert camps operators create a true cultural experience representative of the emirate’s deep-rooted heritage.”

The system will also set out environmental standards for the camps, including recycling criteria. There will also be specifications for the quality of tents, making it mandatory for them to be made of authentic material, such as goats’ hair, and also to pass fire safety regulations.
The strategy, conceived to govern, ensure and improve standards among desert camp operators, is already paying dividends with the pioneering classification system catching the attention of local and international investors.

“Notable overseas investors have already declared an interest in establishing more facilities, while a number of local investors are also actively pursuing opportunities,” added Al Reyami. “This is a strategic new mechanism geared to deliver quality in the desert camp sector, in line with our objectives for the entire hospitality chain.”

The reserved Al Khatem site, which lies 85km outside of Abu Dhabi city in the Al Ain area of the Eastern Region, was earmarked by ADTA and Abu Dhabi Municipality, with the former taking over the public-private sector initiative’s licensing duties.

The classification process formally begins this month when ADTA launches the minimum standard criteria. Outlets will then have six months to implement ratings criteria, before specific classifications are awarded.

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