The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in the UAE has unveiled its National Ecotourism Project.  The aim is to shine a light on the country’s ‘natural wonders’, and capitalize on the growing trend for global ecotourism. The project is clearly a tourism drive, it is also focused on preserving protected areas of the UAE.

MOCCAE is launching a microsite and app which pinpoint various prime ecotourism destinations.  These include Abu Dhabi’s Mangrove Park; Dubai’s Al Marmoum Reserve; Fujairah’s Wadi Wurayah National Park; Sharjah’s Sir Bo Na’air protected area; and Ajman’s Al Zorah Natural Reserve.

“The National Ecotourism Project is a result of the country’s commitment to preserving the environment. Over the past few years, the pioneering vision and directives of the UAE leadership have enabled the country to consolidate its leading global status across diverse sectors, with travel and tourism at the forefront. The project has three phases, focusing on environmental, economic and social factors.

The website and app aims to raise awareness of the protected areas, both at home and abroad.  It also hopes to encourage travel agencies to include the sites in UAE packages. The portal and app will serve as an information and visual resource that UAE embassies across the globe and national airlines can use to introduce these attractions to the world.

For the project to become fully-fledged, the UAE seeks to leverage the fast-paced development witnessed in all sectors, particularly in the sustainable tourism domain that includes eco-friendly flights, hotels, beaches and campsites. Ecotourism promotes sustainable local agriculture and combats desertification while also contributing to GDP.