Ecotourism is set to be a big draw for tourists in the UAE as the industry focuses on ways visitors can give something back to the Emirates via a holiday in the sun.

Home to high-rises, five-star hotels and tourists looking for a beach break, the UAE is not an obvious destination for those waiting for an eco-holiday. But as a number of new destinations begin to combine first-class service and accommodation with sustainability projects, maybe it should be.

Desert Islands, a major development being built off the coast of Abu Dhabi, will become the country's first purpose-built ecotourism destination when it opens to the public in October, heralding a new era for travel in the region. The eight land masses, which include Sir Bani Yas and Dalma islands, are sites of historical and natural beauty and will be used to educate visitors.

The scheme – being overseen by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) part of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority – is the first of its kind in the UAE.

Lee Tabler, TDIC CEO, says the first phase will open in October on Sir Bani Yas Island with further sections opening yearly until the project is complete in 2017. "Visitors will learn a lot about the geography, history, culture and indigenous wildlife of Abu Dhabi while the tourism and international development industries will have a case study in sustainability, proving that sometimes it is not so much what you develop, but how you develop it that equals success," he says.

"Sustainability and environmental stewardship are values at the very core of the company's corporate philosophy."

The Desert Islands destination was conceptualised in 2002 when the Abu Dhabi Government began formulating its tourism strategy for the future.

"The government realised the immense potential of Sir Bani Yas Island, the former royal eco-reserve, and the emirate's largely untapped Western Region," explains Tabler.

TDIC has now commissioned a long-term environment impact report for the destination examining conditions both above and below sea level. The report is expected to take a year to complete.

"We are determined to implement and adhere to its recommendations," says Tabler.

Initially visitors will be restricted to limited tours and those staying overnight at the 64-room, five-star Desert Islands Resort and Spa or in a tented Arabian beach side camp.

Tabler says: "As a flagship project, Desert Islands will serve as a paradigm of how developments can be successfully and sustainably tailored to a destination's tourism strategy. We are also upgrading and expanding the bird sanctuary to ensure the island remains the migratory home of hundreds of species."

According to TDIC the region's first wind turbine is now up and running on Sir Bani Yas and they are working with the Abu Dhabi future energy initiative Masdar to ensure that Desert Islands utilises as much renewable energy as possible.

"In terms of socio-economic impact Desert Islands will be something of a showpiece. This will become one of the world's largest sustainable tourism destinations. It will demonstrate the socio-economic benefit of considered development as it opens up Abu Dhabi's western region to international tourism and promotes the countries great outdoors to a wider audience."

John Kester, the chief of tourism trend and competitiveness at the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), says it is difficult to assess whether ecotourism is growing across the GCC as no recent research has been done.

In 2002 UNWTO published a report on ecotourism that suggested it had become the fastest-growing segment in the industry and was increasing 20 per cent annually compared to seven per cent for tourism overall.

"It depends how you define ecotourism and where you draw the line. What is eco and what is not." says Kester.

"But what we do see is tourism becoming fragmented with many more different types of holidays now available and ecotourism is definitely one of these areas.

"However, sometimes companies use ecotourism as a marketing tool and there is no way of telling if they are following the real meaning of ecotourism. At present it is hard to monitor the sector."

In the case of Dalma Island – the second largest of the Desert Island's components – TDIC says it is retaining the island culture and showcasing it while ensuring the support of the local population.

Dalma Island will also offer an education centre with vocational training to residents. and contribute significantly to the progression of Abu Dhabi's Western Region by generating an expected 6,500 jobs when the destination is fully operational.

Plans are also underway to convert a 350 million square metre area of Dubailand into an eco-zone. The three developments are Heritage Vision, the biggest of the three projects that will tell the history of Dubai and the UAE through light and sound shows, Western City, another leisure development that will depict the lifestyle of pre-gold rush times and feature a zoo, farms, villas and a rodeo showground, and Al Khaheel, which will be home to 600 horses and include riding areas along with a horse museum.

The inclusion of what is termed eco-tourism in such developments is in response to the success of current attractions.

Situated on the outskirts of Dubai is the Al Maha Resort and Spa. Opened in 1999 it offers luxury accommodation and spa treatments but is also linked to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve – an organisation dedicated to conserving the natural habitat of the country.

Arne Silvis, Al Maha Resort and Spa's general manager, believes that tourists are well informed when it comes to sustainable travel and enjoy a different kind of break.

He says: "Many guests are already aware of the conservation and eco concept and what to expect during their stay. Most of our guests are well travelled and frequently stay in similar properties around the world. They tend to do their own research before they even arrive and know what to expect."

Teams of professionally trained field guides accompany guests on a variety of activities, explaining the conservation projects, fauna and flora, and cultural heritage of the desert and the UAE.

"Many guests do respond very positively to this exposure and become more aware of the local environmental issues through their stay," explains Silvis. "Guests appreciate that their visit makes a direct contribution to the environmental and conservation work being undertaken in the region."

Other tour operators such as Orient Tours, based in Sharjah and with offices in Oman, say they included the eco-tourism philosophy in their guides as far back as 1982.

"The company is one of the longest established inbound agents in the UAE and opened offices in Oman in 1993," says Inger Rasmussen, CEO of Orient Tours.

"Since its inception, Orient Tours has incorporated in its tour programmes the concept of ecotourism. It wasn't even a phrase then but we were looking at ways to give back to the country that people visit."

Orient Tours excursions for the UAE and Oman are developed with the intention of showing visitors the culture and heritage of the destination, always respecting the local traditions and customs.

"In fact the concept of cultural exchange between people in the UAE and from abroad was and has always been the driving force behind our tours," says Rasmussen.

The company offers desert safaris in the Northern Emirates and Liwa, dhow cruises along the East Coast as well as diving excursions and off-road mountain tours.


Dalma Island

The island has huge historical importance for the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Dalma Island is the site of a more than 7,000 years old village. Sir Bani Yas Christian Monastery dates back from the early Islamic era.

"This is the only known physical evidence of Christianity in the lower Gulf," says archaeologist and historian Peter Hellyer, director of the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey.

"In terms of heritage of the UAE it's important for the people and is of international significance.

"These sites have now been covered up and filled to protect them pending a long term conservation study on how things can be considered in a way we can show the public."

Other buildings on Dalma Island include a pearl merchant's house and two mosques – built on older foundations – all dating back to the early 20th century and the best preserved of their type in Abu Dhabi.


What is ecotourism?

According to the International Ecotourism Society the definition of ecotourism is: responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the wellbeing of local people.

It should produce minimal impact to the country, build environmental and cultural awareness and respect, provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts and provide direct financial benefits for conservation and monetary benefits for local people and the community.

It should also raise sensitivity to the host countries' political, environmental and social climate.