Two new leisure attractions to be added to Abu Dhabi's cultural tourism

A delegation from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, DCT, has visited the Al Foah Dates Factory and Al Khaznah Tannery to follow up on the transformation of both businesses into new heritage leisure attractions for visitors and tourists.

The trip marks a stepping-stone of the DCT’s long-term strategic partnerships with the two Emirati-owned companies and underpins the department’s constant efforts towards combining the emirate’s rich heritage with exceptional tourism experiences for residents and visitors alike.

The delegation started their trip with a visit to the Al Foah Company in Al Ain, which owns the largest organic farm in the world, the Al Foah Organic Date Farm. The visit studied the implementation of the right measures for the diversification of the factory into a new leisure attraction.

Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director of Promotions and Overseas Offices, DCT, said, "These new visitor attractions now provide more adventure for our travellers to the emirate and give our guests even more choice of things to do and experience. These family-friendly places to visit give an insight into our culture and heritage while revealing important parts of our history."

The plan to introduce a visitor experience to the Al Foah Dates Factory will aid in attracting local, regional and international visitors, and drive a surge in interest for authentic cultural experiences, such as in Al Ain Oasis, the UAE’s first curated UNESCO World Heritage site visitor experience.

The trip also included a visit to the Al Khaznah Tannery, the country’s most technologically advanced tannery. During the tour, the delegation explored the many special opportunities the tannery could offer for tourists, from providing a glimpse into the UAE’s hand-made leather production, a practice integral to Emirati cultural heritage, and its sustainable use of ethical chrome-free leather.