As part of the “#DubaiDestinations” campaign and within the range of activities organized by “Brand Dubai,” the creative arm of the Dubai Government Media Office, the “Shatana in Hatta” festival continues to establish itself as a key event in support of the entrepreneurial community in Dubai and the surrounding Hatta area. This is achieved by highlighting the “Proudly from Dubai” initiative, which is executed by “Brand Dubai” in collaboration with both governmental and private entities. The festival provides an opportunity for a select group of small and emerging businesses to participate and showcase their products to the daily influx of visitors attending its various events.
This year, “Shatana in Hatta” features over 30 projects from the “Proudly from Dubai” initiative, offering a diverse selection of high-quality local products and creative experiences.
The expanded participation this year is a continuation of the significant successes in previous iterations, reflecting “Brand Dubai’s” commitment to promoting a thriving entrepreneurial environment in Dubai, facilitating the growth of small and medium enterprises, and allowing them to reach a wider audience through seasonal events and festivals held throughout the emirate.
Amina Tahir, a member of the organizing committee for the Shatana in Hatta festival, emphasized that the event is not only focused on promoting tourism for this unique winter destination, but also aims to create a sustainable economic impact by providing small businesses with an opportunity to showcase their distinctive and high-quality products. This aligns with Dubai’s approach to supporting and incentivizing startups and creating more opportunities for their success.
She stated, “Dubai has always been and will continue to be a launchpad for ambitious individuals. Many projects, despite their modest beginnings, have gone global, which is what we aim to achieve at “Brand Dubai” by providing all necessary support to members of the “Proudly from Dubai” initiative. We’re delighted by the significant turnout we’ve witnessed since the festival’s start on December 5, which indicates a promising expansion of customer bases in the future and enhances their confidence in the high-quality products offered by these projects.”
Additionally, Khoulah Al Hashimi, also a member of the organizing committee, remarked that the festival serves as a vibrant platform for emerging entrepreneurs from Hatta as well as greater Dubai, allowing them to present their innovations to thousands of visitors from inside and outside the country. She noted that the event contributes to bolstering the local economy of Hatta, which is experiencing rapid growth as a tourist destination.
She further explained, “The festival represents a significant opportunity for members of the “Proudly from Dubai” initiative to showcase their innovative products to a wide audience, thereby enhancing the presence of local creative projects in one of the country’s premier winter tourism destinations.” “Brand Dubai” is dedicated to attracting new projects each year and creating an environment conducive to their growth and showcasing their potential.
Diverse Participations
This year, Hatta highlights a variety of local projects focusing on the region’s flavors and heritage, providing visitors with an array of desserts, beverages, and traditional foods. These include: “Choco Lab,” “Eshba,” “Choco.chunk,” “Bleu Bottle,” “AES,” “Way To Zero,” “Shawarma on Fire,” “LUMO,” “Freej Hatta,” and “My Health Hatta.” Additionally, several artisanal projects offering products inspired by Hatta’s mountainous environment are joining, including “Art Piece” and “Fab.line.”
Moreover, the event also features various projects specialized in designing and selling creative crafts that reflect the talents of young entrepreneurs in Dubai, such as “Waggish,” “sleep.camel,” “swirlywirlystudio,” “gamers link,” and “fabrique.”
Participating also are several distinguished local food and beverage brands from various areas of the emirate, which offer the audience innovative experiences blending modern flavors with local flair. These projects include: “Tomorrow Morning,” “HAAS,” “Pckd,” “Chacha Matcha,” “Vicolo,” “G.O.A.T.,” “Must,” “Japanese Talk,” “Flip Smash Burgers,” and “The Cut.”
Little Merchant
The “Little Merchant” project gives children from Hatta a chance to showcase their products and business skills at the festival. This year features four small projects from Latifa Salem Al Badawi, Reem Jood Al Dahmani, Khalifa Nasser Al Kaabi, along with creative Hamid Al Balushi, who presents art inspired by the local environment.
Mobile Carts
The mobile carts situated around Lake Lim add a new dimension to the visitor experience, offering innovative beverages and fast meals, which include: “Jeeran,” “Just Fruit,” and “KUHP.”
The “Shatana in Hatta” festival continues to affirm its appeal as one of Dubai’s premier seasonal destinations, drawing tens of thousands to enjoy the winter ambiance and various recreational activities while discovering local products from participants of the “Proudly from Dubai” initiative.
This event reflects Dubai’s ongoing commitment to support the creative economy, empower entrepreneurs, and enhance Hatta’s presence as a tourist destination that combines nature, adventure, and local culture in a unique family-friendly experience.