UAE shops run out of camping gear as demand goes 'through the roof'

Travel restrictions and cool temperatures have led to more people exploring the country's deserts and mountains

Residents and tourists are looking for safe experiences during the pandemic, leading to a surge in demand for camping holidays. Courtesy: bnbme

Business is booming for camping shops and desert tour firms, who said winter 2020 has become their biggest season in years.

The pandemic has led to more tourists and residents looking to escape the city and enjoy the great outdoors.

Sporting goods store Decathlon had sold out some camping essentials, and was waiting on fresh stock in the new year.

The Camping Box, which rents out tents and equipment, said it was fully booked for every weekend into January.

The low cost of camping after a tough year for families and the lower risk of catching the virus in wide open spaces has also played a part, industry figures said.

“Even though there’s a pandemic we have beaten every expectation we have had for this year,” said Vinayak Mahtani, chief executive of Bnbme, a holiday home rental firm that has branched out into camping packages.

“Demand has gone through the roof with people looking for experiences close to home."

People are still wary about international travel, he said.

"They have done the hotels and staycations and now they want other experiences which is why camping is so popular right now in the UAE.”

Mr Mahtani said the opportunity to spend time with family and close friends, away from large crowds of people, has played a significant part.

“You are in complete isolation with nobody around you. You don’t have to worry about checking in or out like you do at hotels,” he said.

“This is the perfect time to be in secluded locations with no worries over social distancing.”

He estimated that business was 200 per cent higher than this time last year, with almost half of his customers mentioning that camping was the safest way to enjoy a vacation.

“We are starting to see tourists from neighbouring countries coming here and asking specifically for camping experiences to be included in their vacations,” he said.

“They are able to drive to the UAE by road and don’t have to worry about international travel by plane.

“We've never seen demand like it before.”

The owner of another Dubai-based camping company said every weekend is fully booked.

“We are way busier than expected,” said Osian Hughes, owner of the Camping Box.

“We are also seeing a huge rise in the number of first-time campers.

“The UAE has so many wide open spaces which makes it the perfect terrain for camping and more people than ever are starting to realise that.”

Among the firm's most popular packages is a Dh400 deal for couples that can be loaded into a car. It comes with a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, table and chairs, cutlery and a steel grill and disposable barbecue.

It also offers rooftop tents that can be set up on top of an SUV.

Mr Hughes that almost half of his customers are camping for the first time.

“The pandemic has definitely played a part in the increased demand,” he said.

“A lot of people have family coming to visit them from other countries this winter and they are looking for activities to share with them.

“Camping fits the bill for a lot of people.”

A number of stores that supply camping equipment who said demand was so high that many of them were currently out of stock.

Staff at Decathlon in Dubai’s Mirdiff City said there would be no more new stock until the new year.