Dubai: Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) announced on Monday new desert tour and camp regulations.
Dubai Tourism has established quality benchmarks for all desert tour operators, including those managing outdoor, cultural and hospitality activities, it said in a statement.
The new regulations will come into effect in three months’ time.
Operators will be evaluated on a number of categories including, visitor experience, health and safety, insurance coverage, marketing and advertising as well as transport and logistics. The new regulations will also focus on the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices.
“Close to 20 per cent of all tourists who visit Dubai include a desert experience as part of their agenda and desert-based activities have consistently ranked among the top ten must-do activities in Dubai,” stated Khalid Bin Touq, executive director, tourism activities and classification sector, at Dubai Tourism.
Under the new regulations, guest safety is covered, such as mandatory child car seat regulations, vehicle inspection criteria and provisions to ensure all in-car safety equipment is installed by approved vendors. All drivers must have completed their tour guide certification from Dubai Tourism, deliver mandatory safety briefings to guests and have all correct RTA licenses.
Dubai Tourism will also increase investment in upgrading infrastructure, including new regulations with regards to the upkeep of facilities, e-permit systems to streamline and simplify processes and an inspection system to keep tabs on offending drivers and operators.
