The document summarizes Dubai's plans to develop Hatta, a town near the Oman border currently known for outdoor tourism. The new Hatta Master Development Plan aims to transform Hatta into a major international tourism destination through new attractions like an inland beach, cable-driven railway, and manmade lake. The sustainable development plan also aims to preserve Hatta's natural beauty through new hiking and cycling paths. Some new attractions are scheduled to open this year, while others like the mountainside health resort will take longer. The Hatta plan is part of Dubai's larger 2040 development vision to balance modern tourism with heritage and a preserved natural environment.

1. Dubai Launches New Development Plan to Drive Tourism in Hatta
Understanding that real estate is key to economic development in the Middle East, the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) has many megaprojects planned for 2022. One of the projects
generating the most excitement for the tourism industry is Hatta, a town near the border with
Oman. Already a tourist destination for outdoor activities, Hatta will soon be transformed
according to a new plan that will make it an international attraction. The plan includes many
exciting initiatives, such as a cable-driven railway in the mountains and an inland beach.
These features will add to the adventure attractions already available, such as kayaking and
mountain biking.
Recently, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, ordered the
formation of a supreme committee that would oversee the development of the Hatta region.
This led to the formation of a Hatta Master Development Plan, which is part of the Dubai
2040 Urban Master Plan. The plan aims to make Hatta an ideal place for not just tourism, but
also business and investment to drive the economic development of the UAE. Of course, the
heart of the plan remains transforming Hatta into a world-class tourism destination on the
grand scale for which the UAE has become known. In addition to the railway and inland
beach, the plan includes the creation of a large, manmade lake for facilitating a wide range of
recreation activities.
What People Can Expect from the New Hatta Development

2. A central focus of the plan remains sustainable development. In recent history, the UAE and
other nations throughout the Middle East have put a lot of emphasis on green development
and creating developments that do not negatively impact the surrounding landscape. Given
that Hatta is already known for ecotourism, the focus on sustainability is even more
important for this development. The plan includes the addition of even more opportunities for
enjoying the beauty of the natural landscape in the region, such as the construction of about
120 kilometers of bicycle paths and new hiking paths to the summit of Jabal Umm Al
Nusour, the highest peak in Dubai. Plus, Hatta is home to some historical sites that will also
be preserved as part of the development plan.
Part of the Hatta development plan will be executed and available to the public this year. For
example, an artificial waterfall has been designed that should be completed by the end of
2022, along with a mountain viewing platform for capturing the perfect picture. Some parts
of the plan will take much longer to execute, such as a mountainside health resort. In
addition, the cable-driven rail car designed to carry visitors to the Hatta Dam will take more
time to complete. The funicular system employed in this design will be the first of its kind in
the region. Some parts of the plan will not be introduced until later, such as ride-sharing and
on-demand bus services that will take tourists to the nearby heritage sites. Hatta is also set to
offer a bus service with bicycle and scooter compartments.
The Role of Hatta in the Larger Development of Dubai

3. As mentioned, the Hatta Master Development Plan is part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master
Plan, which seeks to transform the emirate by the year 2040. The larger development plan
highlights the need for balancing community with opportunities for tourism and seeks to find
a balance between modernity and heritage while ensuring that natural beauty is always
evident. The development of Hatta fits into this wider plan by promoting the natural
environment of the area and providing attractions for tourists and locals alike. Also, as much
as possible, the plan includes elements to protect the ecosystems found in Dubai. For
example, the plan calls for a sustainable hydroelectric plant to be built to generate power
without the creation of harmful fossil fuels and with minimal impact on the environment.
Also, it is important to mention that nearly 80 percent of the Hatta region is already
designated as a conservation reserve. This is important since the population of Dubai is
expected to double by 2040. This designation protects the land as the city grows and ensures
that there is always preserved nature to help balance out other development. Despite the fact
that so much of the region will be designated a conservation reserve, the development of
Hatta is still expected to increase the gross domestic product of the region by 32 percent
through increases in both tourism and agriculture. Increases in tourism will be supported by
the construction of new hotels, as well as 200 holiday homes to encourage domestic travel.