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Middle East

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Dubai, one of seven states that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is breaking new ground in the modernization of the Arab world. Of special note to tourism is the unique upscale Al Maha Desert Resort.

By Habeeb Salloum
Color


Located in the Arabian Gulf, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a loose federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. Dubai, arguably the economic heart of the UAE, is in many ways the most progressive of the federation and the most attuned to the Western world. Dubai City, the capital of the Emirate of Dubai is a spic-and-span metropolis attracting tourists and business people with its exotic 21st century architecture, world-class shopping and international facilities. In fact, the prestigious Financial Times publication, FDI Magazine has named Dubai as the "Middle Eastern City of the Future".

Visionary ideas for many mega-projects are quickly implemented in progressive Dubai. The country strives to become the world's premier "nation resort", a realistic goal growing from its assessment that its petroleum wealth will not last forever and its determination to diversify its economic base by attracting international tourism. In 2004, about five million tourist vacationed in Dubai alone - the majority Europeans, as well as a good number of North Americans.



Al Maha Desert Resort:

The lure of modern Dubai is best symbolized by Al Maha, an elegant eco-tourism desert resort that is owned and managed by UAE Emirates Airlines, the national carrier and a premier international airline. Located alongside the United Arab Emirates' barren Hajar Mountains, a 45-minute drive southeast of the Dubai International Airport, the Al Maja Desert Resort is a world-class retreat where ecology has been put to work for tourism. Looming out of the barren sands, it is a secluded and serene oasis of luxury that has been drawing an affluent international clientele of eco-tourists and honeymooners for more than six years.

The first eco-tourism project with a protected reserve in the Arabian Gulf area, the Al Maha resort is the brainchild of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the UAE Emirates Airlines. Al Maha is a specialized eco-tourism project and the first of its kind to be opened in the region. Intended to cover a part of the market in the area of luxury eco-tourist resorts, it combines five-star luxury while preserving the rich natural heritage of the Arabian desert.




Al Maha incorporates a range of stringently imposed eco-friendly measures including energy conservation and the use of bio-degradable products. Of special note is the attention given to conservation of water, a desert resource even more precious than its well-known petroleum wealth. Used lavishly throughout, the resort's water, including that used in its swimming pools and spa, is fully recycled and returned to its groundwater source via a unique irrigation system. Sheikh Al Maktoum sums it up when he says, "We have a role to play in ensuring that the positive aspects of tourism go beyond just contributions to the country, but to include the benefits to the environment."

Situated on 225 sq. km. of pristine desert land, the resort was conceived as a traditional Bedouin desert encampment but, unlike a real working encampment, Al Maha offers up-scale world-class service and amenities while at the same time keeping the focus on Arab culture and heritage. . Its tented ceilings and predominant use of barasti or palm fronds for fencing and ceilings have been used to evoke the atmosphere of traditional Bedouin tents--without the rough-hewn discomforts or camel fleas of the real thing.

The resort complex covers less than one percent of the site. The remainder is dedicated to a nature reserve, home to endangered wildlife such as the desert gazelle, Oryx and desert fox.
During the past centuries, herds of the graceful Oryx, called Maha in Arabic, would appear in the Dubai desert, out of the haze created by the desert heat, seeking a place of shelter from the sun. The small oasis, where these attractive black-and-white spear-horned antelopes used to congregate became known to the Bedouins as Al Maha--The Oryx--from which the resort derives its name.

Perched on a small hill atop the water of the oasis below, the resort consists of the main reception building, an excellent spa and 37 individual Bedouin-style luxuriously furnished suites with traditionally crafted furniture and each with an outside plunge pool. In addition, there are two Royal Suites, each with two bedrooms, private dining facilities and swimming pool, and the one large luxury Emirate Suite. All the rooms open out to panoramic vistas across the desert landscape, offering breathtaking views of dunes and wide expanses of golden sandy plains to the Hajar Mountains beyond.


The resort offers gourmet dining al fresco on various verandas or in the spacious restaurant, with menus ranging from foods of the Mediterranean countries to those of the Far East.



Additionally, the 'Jamilah Spa & Leisure Center', discreetly concealed amidst the dunes near the main building and integrated into the main swimming pool and pool bar, provides complete spa services by an internationally trained staff.


There has been an extensive re-introduction of indigenous desert wildlife and strains of indigenous grasses and other flora into Al Maha's protected reserve. This has involved the planting of 6,200 local grasses, shrubs and trees over about 20 percent of the resort's area. The sanctuary is surrounded by an electrified inner perimeter fence, which keeps in the exotic wildlife. Today these include 40 resident bird species; 250 Oryx that include two species; a growing population of two types of gazelles; and 15 reptilian species. The outer fence also acts as a barrier to keep out the camels that are kept in the reserve .




Al Maha Excursions:

Excursions into the desert are accompanied by adventure guides, knowledgeable in Arab culture and history, and safari drivers, experts in the desert . One of the most fulfilling of these activities for 'Falconry' enthusiasts is when guests are escorted to view a number of different species of falcons and handle some of them under the supervision of one of the field guides. As well, demonstrations of how falconry is practiced are held during the cooler parts of the day.


From among the other activities offered are archery where under supervision, an archer can test his skills in a designated area; guided horse and camel rides giving guests the opportunity to experience the natural splendor of the Arabian desert from the back of an Arabian steed or on a swaying "ship of the desert" as camels have been called; and guided nature walks where guests have the opportunity to experience the desert environment and at the same time view some rare types of birds and animals. A memorable experience for guests sitting atop a sand dune in the resort's excursion Jeep is to watch Arabian Oryx grazing below or racing across the desert.

Also offered are numerous off-site activities which give guests the opportunity to visit the wadis (dry riverbeds) and mountains close to the resort; sand skiing on the nearby sand dunes; traveling to ancient archaeological sites; and numerous other excursions such as that to Hatta, a 200-year-old village which silently speaks of ancient times, and Al Ain with its thousands of years old burial tombs.

To Nervous Westerners:

The United Arab Emirates is a visitor-friendly country. In 2004, about five million tourist vacationed in Dubai alone, the majority Europeans and North Americans. For Americans who may have reservations about vacationing in an Arab country, the U.S State Department's background notes on the UAE put it this way:

"The United States has enjoyed friendly relations with the UAE since 1971. Private commercial ties, especially in petroleum, have developed into friendly government-to-government ties which include security assistance. The breadth, depth, and quality of U.S.-UAE relations increased dramatically as a result of the U.S.-led coalition's campaign to end the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. In 2002, the U.S. and the UAE launched a strategic partnership dialogue covering virtually every aspect of the relationship. The UAE has been a key partner in the war on terror after September 11, 2001. The United States was the third country to establish formal diplomatic relations with the UAE and has had an ambassador resident in the UAE since 1974."

It should also be noted that in addition to the native-born, the population of the UAE includes Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Egyptians, Jordanians, Iranians, Filipinos and other Arabs. Of these, 15-20 percent of residents are UAE citizens and 96 percent are Muslims. Additionally, Europeans and North Americans occupy dominant administrative positions in business, and American educational institutions are found in Dubai and throughout the United Arab Emirates, with a good number of U.S. citizens on their staffs .


For More Information and Reservations:



Al Maha's all-inclusive high-season rates cover accommodation, all meals and beverages consumed at the resort and transfers to the airport. Also included are: activities such as guided desert reserve safaris, dune dinners, archery, camel trekking, falconry, and horse riding. For rates and further information, contact:

Al Maha, Emirates Holiday Building
3rd Floor
Sheikh Zayed Road
P.O. Box 7631
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tel: 971-4343-9595; Fax: 971-4343-9696; Reservation Tel: 971-4303-4222.
E-mail: almaha@emirates.com


Photo Credits: Three photos of Dubai skyline courtesy of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing; All other photos courtesy of Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa and Emirates Airline; Additional photo material by Habeeb Salloum


© 2005 ROMAR TRAVEL GUIDES