Eco tourism on the rise across MENA

A recent Colliers report shows governments are increasingly investing in the eco sector

According to a report by Colliers, there has been a surge in eco, wellness, agri and adventure (EWAA) tourism in the MENA region. The growth has increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led developers to adopt a sustainable approach to tourism. Another reason for the shift can be attributed to the change in people’s lifestyles and increased awareness of their environmental impact.

As a result, there has been an increased interest in governments across the Middle East to fund EWAA projects. This year Dubai Holding unveiled Hatta Dome Park, which offers 15 eco-friendly domes and is part of Hatta’s aim to become the region’s eco-tourism hub; Saudi Arabia’s Soudah Development Company is developing Soudah and Rijal Almaa into a mountain destination with a focus on nature and cultural experiences, and Ras Al Khaimah announced it will expand its sustainable and adventure tourism attractions.

Colliers found that, due to the increased interest in experiential travel, tourism and hospitality developers and investors are now more likely to focus on destinations with untouched natural resources. The developments that have been the most successful have support from local stakeholders and a relationship with the local community, which creates authenticity and contributes to the conservation of the surrounding area.