Ecotourism Spotlight This Week: Dubai

March 30, 2012 in Green Careers, Green Jobs with 24 Comments

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It’s not too late to start planning your summer vacation, but why not plan one that is totally different from the norm? If going skiing in a desert oasis and walking on streets of gold sounds appealing to you, then Eco-Dubai should be next on your list. This Middle Eastern spot is perfect for ecotourism, allowing you to embrace and protect nature while taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Dubai is a sovereign state in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is about the size of the state of Maine. It’s called Eco-Dubai in the green world because it is very environmentally conscious. The desert city-state features the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which has created the area’s first national park and houses one of the most unique animals on the planet – the Arabian oryx.

This Dubai reserve is part of the must-see Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa (the cost for a room per night is a little more than $1,300). This resort has 40 rooms and is extra luxurious while also being green in that it generates a seed bank of 6,000 indigenous grasses, shrubs and trees (which are great for providing oxygen for many, as just two mature trees produce enough oxygen for four people). The resort additionally recycles all of its water.

In addition, the area is surrounded by desert and dune landscapes that are sure to impress any visitor. You don’t need a vehicle to travel the desert region – which further makes you greener by reducing your greenhouse gas output – as camel treks are a viable option for exploring the desert country. Guided desert safaris also are a suitable way for you to explore the land and gain an even greater appreciation for this area of the world.

For additional fun in Dubai, you can go downhill skiing, as this is a popular indoor sport, while also enjoying streets that literally are paved with gold. Dubai also offers the green advantage of aiming to supply 5 percent of its energy consumption with renewable sources by 2030, with over half of its energy coming from solar power. Even though the UAE is the fourth largest exporter of oil in the world, Dubai is becoming more green and is determined to remain a major energy provider as green energy grows in popularity worldwide.

For any ecotourist, Dubai in the Middle East offers a unique opportunity to expand your exposure to another area of the earth in a stimulating, green way. Just think about it: Where else in the world would you easily have a chance to ride a dromedary?

By YaShekia King

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About YaShekia King: YaShekia King, of Indianapolis, Ind., began writing professionally in 2003. Her work has appeared in several print and online publications including the “South Bend Tribune,”Ehow.com, Wisegeek.com and “Clouds Across the Stars,” an international book. King holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University. She also is a licensed real estate agent, is a clinical certified dental assistant and is completing her master’s degree in human resource management through DeVry University. Connect with YaShekia on YaShekia King

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