Dubai – Sarah Al Kawari and Maryam Al Addan
Owners of farms and retreats across the United Arab Emirates have confirmed that these destinations have become among the most popular choices for families seeking to spend their holidays and vacations, offering an atmosphere that combines privacy, comfort, and entertainment in a fully integrated natural environment — even amid summer weather conditions.
They noted that these destinations see significant demand during holiday seasons, particularly from families who prefer to spend their time within the country, adding that demand rises during summer, with bookings at many facilities reaching near-full capacity weeks before the holidays begin.
Some facilities also offer summer promotions and discounts that make booking prices more attractive compared to the winter season, helping draw a broader range of visitors.
Khaled Abdullah Al Badwawi, a retreat owner, confirmed that activity in this sector is not tied to any particular season, but continues throughout the year, driven by social, religious, and national occasions.
He noted that the holy month of Ramadan also sees sustained booking activity, particularly from residents of various nationalities who prefer to spend their Ramadan evenings amid the tranquil atmosphere and open natural surroundings offered by farms and retreats.
He added that the diversity of visitors and their varying needs has contributed to the continuous development of services, with farms now offering integrated experiences encompassing family entertainment, swimming pools, outdoor seating areas, and activities suitable for children, alongside private spaces that guarantee privacy for large families.
He pointed out that attention to the visitor experience has become a central pillar in the development of farms and retreats, explaining that the ongoing upgrading of facilities and services aims to keep pace with family expectations and meet their evolving needs.
He added that providing an integrated environment combining comfort, entertainment, and privacy has helped boost visitor numbers at these destinations, especially given the variety of events and activities that families can enjoy all in one place.
Abdullah Saif Muadad, a retreat owner in Hatta, explained that preparation work begins several months before summer arrives to ensure the full readiness of facilities and services.
He said that maintenance plans include inspecting central air conditioning systems, servicing lighting units, and replacing filters, in addition to caring for green areas through regular irrigation and fertilisation to preserve their quality during the summer months, as well as maintaining swimming pools and providing water-cooling systems for them.
Mohammed Khalfan Al Matawi, a retreat owner, pointed out that farms and retreats are no longer limited to family relaxation, but have grown into an increasingly popular destination for hosting social occasions such as engagement parties, weddings, graduation celebrations, birthday parties, and family gatherings.
He explained that organising such occasions requires advance arrangements and special preparations, with bookings recommended well ahead of the event date, along with allocating sufficient time for set-up and decoration work to meet clients' requirements.