Latest news with #ArabianAdventures
The National
08-07-2025
- 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.
What's On
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
13 of the best adventures to have in the UAE this long weekend
A long weekend is coming soon, which means more time to do the things you've been putting off. If you're a thrill seeker, adrenaline-junkie, or just generally into adventures of all kinds, there is no shortage of experiences across the UAE. Take your pick. For the desert lovers… Night Safari with Arabian Adventures This evening desert safari with Arabian Adventures ensures that you get a taste of that quintessential UAE experience wile staying out of the daytime summer heat. Discover the charm of the Dubai desert, a world of natural wonder, indigenous wildlife, and Bedouin culture, along with fun desert sports. Offer: Starts from Dhs431 Location: Dubai Desert Contact: : ( 800) 272 2426 @arabianadventures Overnight Safari by Arabian Adventures This all-inclusive overnight desert safari is a UAE staycation must. Camp out in a deluxe tent on a raised platform with a world of amenities and experiences to complete your stay. Included in the package is a thrilling dune drive, camel ride, walking night safari, waiter service, set menu BBQ dinner and more. Offer: Starts from Dhs1,790 Location: Dubai Desert Contact: : ( 800) 272 2426 @arabianadventures Hot Air Balloon with Hero Balloon Flights This is the hot air balloon experience of your dreams, because it's not just a hot air balloon ride. The balloon flight takes you over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, offering spectacular views of the sands, sky and sunrise from 3,000 feet above. The complete package features the ride, a breakfast and a ride in a vintage Defender. Offer: Starts from Dhs1,995 Location: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Contact: ( 0) 4 412 6333 @heroballoonsdubai For the street crawlers… Parkour at XPark Located just a few hops, kick-flips and jumps away from Kite Beach – XDubai has long been a half-pipe haven for the UAE's skatewardly mobile. Traceurs can explore the Path of Discovery, challenging themselves on the parkour loop, scaling new heights at the 20-foot climbing tower. Offer: Starts from Dhs75 Times: Sunday to Friday, 2.30pm to 5.30pm, 6pm to 9.30pm, Saturday, 8am to 11.30am, 2.30pm to 5.30pm, 6pm to 9.30pm Location: XPark Dubai, Kite Beach Contact: ( 0) 56 416 3585 @xdubai Skateboarding at Circuit X Hudayriat Island is one of Abu Dhabi's most impressive alfresco adventure hubs and amongst its many assorted attractions is the Circuit X skate park. You can try three separate bowls of varying difficulty level, practice lip tricks on ledges, grind rails, smash quarter pipes, and cruise through a simulated urban skate section. Offer: Starts from Dhs40 Times: Monday to Thursday, 2pm to 10pm, Friday, 2pm to 11pm, Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 11pm Location: Circuit X, Hudayriat Island, Abu Dhabi Contact: ( 0) 2 691 0302 @circuitx_hudayriyat For the water babies… Sailing with Wind Rises Whether you're a seasoned sailor or dipping your toes into the world of sailing for the first time, the Wind Rises sailing experience promises thrills, stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, and a whole lot of joy. They have a number of sailing options to choose from, and you can even prepare with them for competitions. Offer: Starts from Dhs200 per person on weekdays Location: Wind Rises, Port Rashid, Dubai Contact: ( 0) 58 106 5026 @windrisesdubai Surfing at Surf Abu Dhabi Seasoned and budding surfers, head over to Surf Abu Dhabi, the world's biggest and most advanced artificial wave facility. You can choose from open sessions tailored to beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers, as well as 1-on-1 surfing lessons, and an entire 90-minute surf trip for you and 5 other surfers. Offer: Starts from Dhs600 Times: Daily, 9am to 10pm Location: Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriat Island Contact: @surfabudhabi Scuba diving at Deep Dive Dubai Deep Dive Dubai has the worlds largest indoor pool for diving, with the terrifying depth of 6o metres. Of course, if you're an experienced diver with a license you can go all the way and explore, but if you're a beginner or looking to get into diving, the expert instructors will guide you through the whole process. Offer: Starts from Dhs1,800 Times: Daily, 9am to 6pm Location: NAS Sports Complex, Dubai Contact: (0) 4 501 9444 @deepdivedubai Wakeboarding at Wake Dubai Wake Dubai has long offered instructor-led and independent-led sessions, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned surfers. A professional team of captains and instructors are at your service to ensure a safe and thrilling ride that will have you up on the waves in no time. Offer: From Dhs350 Times: Daily, 6am to 5.30pm Location: Dubai Marina and Dubai Creek Contact: : ( 0) 56 108 4599 @wake_dubai For the sky-high thrill seekers… XLine The XLine zipline is as thrilling as it gets, with a one-kilometre-long zipline that will see you soaring over Dubai Marina at up to 80 kilometres per hour. This is the longest urban zipline in the world, and offers stunning views of the Dubai Marina skyline as you soar away. Offer: From Dhs350 Times: Daily, 9.45am to 12.20pm, 1.45pm to 5pm Location: Dubai Marina Contact: : (0) 56 507 6366 @x_line Skydiving at Skydive Dubai A bucket list attraction for many, Skydive Dubai attracts divers from far and wide. If jumping out of a plane several thousand feet above the ground sounds like your idea of fun, take this weekend as your sign to book in your slot. It's a one-of-a-kind Dubai experience. Offer: From Dhs2,199 Location: Dubai Marina Contact: : (0) 4 377 8888 @skydivedubai Jebel Jais Zip Line in Ras Al Khaimah This zipline in the longest zipline in the world and you can only imagine how amazing the views would be. The journey takes thrill seekers on a 2.83km journey through the Hajar mountains at an eye-watering 1,680 metres above sea level. Riders can expect to reach speeds of up to a hair-raising 120km/h. Offer: From Dhs250 Location: Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah Contact: : (0) 4 815 7333 Flying at Jazirah Aviation Club For something a little different, head to Ras Al Khaimah's unique Jazirah Aviation Club. This centre has been running for 25 years, and invites budding pilots and aviation enthusiasts to enjoy tours of the skies in its colourful small planes and even get a go at flying the plane yourself. Timings: Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 6pm Location: Jazirah Aviation Club Contact: : (0) 7 244 6416 @ Images: Socials
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dnata Travel Group showcases its world-class range of travel products at ATM
Dubai, UAE: dnata Travel Group, a division of leading global air and travel services provider dnata, returns to Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 - the region's premier travel and tourism trade event - with an expanded presence and a refreshed stand design. This year, the group will spotlight the latest updates to its distinctive UAE-based products and services, designed to inspire and attract travellers from across the globe. A key highlight for the Group this year is The Fort – Lisaili, a newly launched desert entertainment destination in Dubai. Operated by destination management company and tour provider Arabian Adventures, the immersive venue offers a variety of experiences set against an iconic backdrop of a desert fort. At ATM 2025, a scaled-down replica of The Fort will be on display at dnata's stand, giving visitors a unique 'taste of the desert' from the Dubai World Trade Centre. Located just 45 minutes from the event venue, Arabian Adventures is also inviting attendees to experience The Fort in person while in the city. Making their ATM debut with their dedicated spaces at the dnata Travel Group stand are Destination Asia, a leading destination management company specialising in bespoke travel experiences across East and Southern Asia, as well as dnata Representation Services - Land, which offers tailored sales, marketing, PR, infrastructure, and call centre solutions to some of the world's most prominent travel brands. Other dnata Travel Group brands at ATM this year include airport hospitality services provider marhaba, leisure accommodation wholesale specialist Yalago, digital B2B attractions marketplace priohub, and travel consolidator Gold Medal. Representatives from across the wider dnata Group will also be on hand throughout the event to meet industry partners and customers. John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group commented: 'ATM Dubai is an opportunity for us to spotlight the innovation and ambition driving our UAE-based travel brands. With strong growth in both inbound and outbound travel, we're seeing travellers seek out deeper, more personalised experiences, and our offerings are built to meet that demand. From the heart of the desert to the heart of Asia, our goal is to enhance every step of the journey - before, during, and beyond the trip itself." Representatives from the dnata Travel Group will also share insights and experiences in the following conference sessions during the event this year: John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group , speaking on a panel at the ATM Future Stage on ' Beyond 2025: The Microtrends Redefining Travel ' (28th April); and , speaking on a panel at the ATM Future Stage on ' ' (28th April); and Sébastien Doussin, Senior Vice President – Global Travel Services & Destination Management, dnata Travel Group, speaking at the ATM Business Events Stage, on 'The Big-Ticket Events: Global Impact and Learnings ' (30th April).
