New rules to make desert safaris safer

DUBAI: The next time you send your guests on a desert safari, you can tell them to expect nothing but the best. Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has just issued new regulations for desert tours and camps, which effectively gives operators three months’ time to adopt a set of uncompromising standards - or simply call it a day.

According to the new guidelines, guest safety takes the highest priority as they set out mandatory requirements for child car seats, in-car safety equipment and vehicle inspections. In addition, all drivers must have completed their tour guide certification from Dubai Tourism with due licences from the Dubai Road Transport Authority to deliver mandatory safety briefings to commuters.

The new regulations focus on the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices. 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.

Khaled Bin Touq, executive director, Tourism Activities & Classification Sector, said, “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 amongst the top 10 must-dos in Dubai. In order to elevate this signature experience and make it integral to the tourist agenda, we have established a rule book for operators that sets out targets, standards and best practices,”

Tour operators have welcomed the new rules.

Kulwant Singh Lama, managing director of Lama Tours, which plies around 150 cars for desert tours everyday, said: “We welcome the new regulations which spell out the basic requirements for desert safaris to operate keeping in mind issues like hygiene, safety etc for the benefit of our guests. Desert safaris have become the most important item on a visitor’s agenda, so anything that reflects the image of Dubai must reflect the highest standards.”

The tour operator said, “Currently, there are around 30 camps that operate in the Aweer area and they are invariably packed to capacity becase desert safaris are so popular, among both residents and tourists. To ease the rush and improve the overall experience, specific areas, routes and timings should be allocated to different operators here, much like how it is in the Margham area. This will help avoid overcrowding and make dune bashing safer. “

Another tour operator said, “The new rules will ensure agencies which organise sub-standard desert safaris can no longer be in business. They will no longer be able to hire freelance drivers at cheaper costs.”