Over the years, UAE’s Hatta region has seen an upswing in tourism with more and more travelers drawn towards its natural scenic beauty. Understanding the region’s tourism potential, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the new projects as part of the Hatta development plan.

The new development project will have various additions to the plan, including the building of 5.4km-long chairlifts, a Hatta sustainable waterfalls project, a hotel, and the construction of hiking trails to the highest peak in Dubai (Jebel Umm Al Nisour, at 1,300 meters).

To support domestic tourism in the district, the residents of Hatta will be allowed to build 200-holiday homes.

“In 2016, we started our development project in Hatta. Tourists doubled from 60,000 to one million in 2020, and the new projects by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority will provide 500 jobs for the young people of Hatta. The new holiday homes will provide an annual income of more than Dh100m for the people of the region,” said Sheikh Mohammed, adding, “Hatta is a model for small cities in the region. It has turned within a short period of time into one of the most important tourist destinations in the emirate, thanks to its different lifestyle. The development and tourism projects in Hatta will have a significant impact on promoting national tourism and providing distinctive tourism and cultural experience for visitors and the community.”

The ‘Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls’ project and the ‘Dubai Mountain Peak’ will be implemented by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and is said to be a major attraction.

There will also be Jebel Umm Al Nisour—the highest natural summit in Dubai at 1,300 meters above sea level. There will be a cable car route passing over the Hatta Dam Lake and the Upper Dam Lake for the hydroelectric power station. The departure station will be built on an upper platform above the Hatta Dam.