UAE reveals plans to develop Hatta tourism

Six new projects are expected to generate hundreds of jobs and generate millions of dirhams in annual revenues

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, has approved six new projects as part of a plan to develop the already popular mountain city of Hatta as a tourist destination.

The projects include the establishment of 5.4km-long chairlifts, a sustainable waterfalls project, a hotel and the construction of hiking trails to the highest peak in Dubai, Jebel Umm Al Nisour, at 1,300 metres.

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Sheikh Mohammed said: “Hatta is a model for small cities in the region. It has turned within a short period of time into one of the most important tourist destinations in the emirate, thanks to its different lifestyle. The development and tourism projects in Hatta will have a significant impact on promoting national tourism and providing a distinctive tourism and cultural experience for visitors and the community.” 

One project will allow residents to build holiday homes in Hatta to boost domestic tourism; 200 plots have been designated so far. The plan also includes the establishment of Dubai Mountain Peak and Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls, which will be implemented by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). 

According to the announcement, the holiday homes project alone will provide an annual income of more than AED100 million (US$27.2 million), while the DEWA projects will generate 500 jobs for young residents of Hatta.