On World Tourism Day, the Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) Department of Tourism and Archaeology unveils plans for its first ecotrail to open in early 2025 within the emirate’s pristine Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Reserve. This initiative offers a unique and attractive opportunity for UAQ residents and visitors to connect with nature, providing an immersive experience that raises awareness about the rich biodiversity and ecological value of the UAQ coastal lagoon. The ecotrail will be implemented in partnership with Emirates Nature-WWF.

Informative signage will engage visitors of all ages, offering individuals and families an educational overview of the lagoon’s unique ecosystems, coastal dunes and biodiversity. As people walk along the ecotrail, they will learn about geckos that glow in the dark, green turtles that weigh more than 100kg, rays that resemble the shape of guitars, and other incredible species.

H.E.Haytham Sultan Al Ali, Director General of the Department of Tourism and Archaeology, Umm Al Quwain: “Inspired by the lagoon's natural aesthetics, the ecotrail will be constructed with eco-friendly materials. The sustainably designed ecotrail will feature a 250m wooden boardwalk and a 1.8km guided dune-based path. It will include a shaded area and an observatory majlis, illuminated by energy-efficient solar red lights to reduce light pollution.

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General, Emirates Nature-WWF: “Healthy and diverse coastal ecosystems are essential for sustainable tourism. Our assessment of natural capital in the Umm Al Quwain lagoon reveals that combining conservation and ecotourism is key to maximizing ecosystem services - conservation can boost tourism and recreation benefits by up to 50%, including increased footfall and visitor spending.”

Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, HSBC Middle East:  "The launch of this ecotrail is a tangible and welcome benefit of the work of the Nature-based solutions project in the UAE. It is a beautiful addition to what tourists and the people of the UAE can enjoy about nature in our country. This initiative highlights the importance of sustainably managing coastal ecosystems, not only to preserve biodiversity and combat climate change, but also to provide new opportunities for communities. By fostering ecotourism in the Umm Al Quwain lagoon, we see the unlocking of economic potential and the promotion of a deeper appreciation of nature."

The UAQ lagoon plays a central role in achieving environmentally sustainable economic growth and supporting the expansion of the emirate. The emirate is working to harness ecotourism to generate new sources of income that support the natural renewal of the marine and coastal environment, in line with the objectives of the UAQ Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy 2031.

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