Latest news with #AlaaAlKhatib
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
What happens to UAE desert safaris in the summer?
Summer arrived early in the UAE this year, bringing with it record-breaking heat. April recorded daily averages surpassing 40°C in parts of the country, while temperatures in Sweihan soared to a scorching 51.6°C in May – the highest ever recorded for the month. With summer having officially begun on June 21, much of the Emirates has already experienced highs of 48°C and more. What, then, becomes of desert safaris, one of the UAE's most popular outdoor experiences, under such conditions? It's business as usual, says Alaa AlKhatib, vice president of destination management at Arabian Adventures, one of the largest tour and safari operators in the country. 'Yes, there is a seasonal dip in demand during the peak summer months, which is typical for most outdoor experiences in the region,' she tells The National. 'That said, desert activities remain a core part of the UAE's tourism appeal year-round.' On average, demand for desert safaris and outdoor adventures drop by about 60 per cent compared to the peak winter season, adds AlKhatib. 'This is a well-established trend, and our operations are designed to accommodate these seasonal patterns. But we continue to operate all of our experiences without interruption to serve both residents and international visitors,' she says. Desert safaris are sought after during the summer for international visitors, particular European travellers seeking 'authentic cultural and nature-based experiences', says AlKhatib. Hero Experiences Group, which organises luxury desert activities under its Platinum Heritage brand as well as balloon rides among other activities, also report 'a big decrease' in bookings over the summer, with the slump starting around May and continuing until the end of September. But this company, too, operates as normal and continues to receive bookings daily. 'It's still hot, but as soon as the sun dips, the weather is more pleasant than you would imagine,' a spokesperson tells The National. 'It is actually up to 10°C cooler in the desert than it is in the city due to the moisture being retained by the sand, and the lack of buildings and infrastructure capturing the heat.' According to Arabian Adventures's AlKhatib, the desert environment typically becomes 5°C to 7°C cooler than urban areas after sunset. 'For example, while city temperatures may hover around 42°C, the desert can drop to between 35°C and 37°C as night falls,' she says. Both operators say they make provisions to beat the heat, including adding more air-conditioned 4x4s to their fleet instead of open-top cars, offering cold towels and chilled water, as well as introducing summer menus and requesting guests to wear light, breathable attire. 'We've been running summer operations for years, and our teams are trained to monitor conditions closely and make operational adjustments when necessary,' says AlKhatib. 'We maintain the same standards of service, entertainment and guest experiences throughout the year, regardless of the season.' Not all outdoor businesses are remaining open this summer, however. Zerzura, which offers luxury experiences within Sharjah's Mleiha National Park, is pausing activities for two months until September 1. 'We usually haven't been closing in the summer for the last few years, but due to the shift in weather patterns, we've decided to do so this year,' says founder and chief executive Akash Ranjith. 'Preparations for the new season usually begin at the peak of summer, around June, so work at the Zerzura site continues behind the scenes,' he says. 'While we don't host guests during these two months, it's a critical window to upgrade our desert camp facilities. That said, work is paced around the midday heat – progress still happens, just more mindfully.' The break is also an essential time to develop new concepts and attractions, he adds, revealing that his team is working on a project that will allow them to remain open all year round. 'We're currently developing concepts tailored specifically for summer – think after-dark experiences that lean into the magic of the desert at night,' says Ranjith. 'We're aiming to be open next summer with new ways to explore even during the warmer months.'
Tourism Breaking News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Arabian Adventures upgrades core reservation platform to enhance speed and partner access
Post Views: 41 Arabian Adventures is upgrading its core reservation system as part of a strategic move to streamline operations and improve the booking journey for its global partners. The Dubai-based tour and safari operator is transitioning to Travel Studio by Open Destinations – a cloud-based platform designed specifically for DMCs. The system upgrade will enhance internal efficiency while introducing a more powerful B2B portal, which enables partners to create and confirm tailor-made itineraries in real time – including accommodation and all land arrangements. This significantly reduces manual processes and response times, empowering partners with greater flexibility and autonomy. Alaa AlKhatib, Vice President – Destination Management at dnata Travel Group, said: 'This change is about removing friction – for our team, for our partners, and ultimately for the travellers we serve. Travel Studio will give us the tools to respond faster, automate more of our workflows, and provide our network with the freedom to build complex itineraries with ease and confidence. At Arabian Adventures, we are always committed to investing in the technology and infrastructure needed to scale efficiently – and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving travel landscape.' John Davies, CEO at Open Destinations, said: 'We're delighted that Arabian Adventures has chosen Travel Studio after an extensive selection process. Our market-leading reservations platform for large complex DMCs will provide the Arabian Adventures team a single, powerful platform that grows with them, helping to simplify operations, accelerate bookings, and deliver the very best customer experience.' The upgrade reflects broader shifts across travel trade, where technology has become a key differentiator – especially for DMCs responding to growing demand for faster turnaround times, seamless integrations, and more customised itinerary planning. As global travel rebounds and competition intensifies, operators are increasingly adopting smart platforms to streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and future-proof their service delivery. Arabian Adventures' adoption of Travel Studio comes at a time of strong growth. The company now welcomes over 750,000 guests annually, works with hundreds of global trade partners from over 60 source markets and manages a portfolio of over a thousand hotels across three destinations – with further expansion underway. It also operates a number of exclusive desert camps capable of hosting up to 5,000 guests, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of authentic, scalable travel experiences in the region. This growth aligns with regional trends – the GCC adventure tourism market alone is projected to grow from $18.6 billion in 2025 to over $71 billion by 2035. As demand rises, Arabian Adventures is equipping itself with the tools needed to deliver faster, more scalable, and more responsive services. The new system is also expected to significantly reduce onboarding time for new clients – a key enabler as the company expands its B2B offering and scales its operations more efficiently. Implementation of Travel Studio is already underway, with comprehensive training and technical documentation being rolled out in stages to ensure a smooth and effective transition for all users.
