Arabian Adventures, part of the Emirates Group, is investing AED 8 million to expand The Fort – Lisaili, its desert destination 45 minutes from Downtown Dubai, with construction already under way and a phased reopening planned through 2027.
The site, which launched in November 2024 and has drawn both international visitors and UAE residents with a mix of desert dining, camel rides, dune buggy excursions, and live entertainment, is currently closed for redevelopment.
“The Fort – Lisaili has exceeded our expectations since opening, attracting both international visitors and UAE residents seeking a more flexible, immersive, and personalised way to experience Dubai’s desert. This investment reflects our confidence in the destination, the continued growth of Dubai’s tourism sector, and the increasing demand for authentic, experience-led attractions. Our vision is to create a destination that is uniquely Dubai, where visitors can combine adventure, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences in a way that suits their interests and pace. From the UAE’s first dune-top desert zipline to new hospitality concepts, event spaces, and cultural experiences, we’re creating a destination that offers something new with every visit and encourages guests to return time and time again,” Sébastien Doussin, Senior Vice President – Global Travel Services & Destination Management at dnata Travel Group said in a statement.
The original experience returns for bookings from October 2026, followed by a first expansion phase in January 2027 and a second in July 2027.
Phase one introduces an Arabic market, a VIP majlis, new dining outlets facing the dunes, a children’s play area, and event spaces suited to private functions and corporate gatherings.
Phase two, opening July 2027, adds a central visitor hub with cafés, retail and ticketing, elevated viewing decks, VIP lounges with panoramic desert views, and expanded camel and animal encounter programmes.
The investment was announced at Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, where Arabian Adventures is running a stand activation that previews the destination’s future design.
