THEDUBAI government has embarked on a five-year project to transform Hatta, at the foot of the Hajjar mountains, into a major convention destination.
It is putting in the necessary infrastructure so that the 200-year-old village, which is an 1hr’s drive from Dubai, attracts investment from the private sector.
The idea is to make Hatta a protected area where tourists can enjoy activities such as cycling, mountain climbing and wadi bashing (four-wheel driving on dry river beds).
Awadh Al Seghayer, manager missions and events for the government’s department of tourism and commerce marketing, said:”The Government is putting in the water and electricity and road structure and then it is up to the private sector to come and invest.”
The region is already home to the Hatta Fort Hotel, a Relais and Chateaux property which has 54 chalet-style rooms and facilities for conferences.