Post by : Badri Ariffin

As part of the #HattaWinter initiative, Dubai Municipality has announced the eagerly awaited return of the Hatta Honey Festival, reinforcing its dedication to promoting agri-tourism, homegrown production, and sustainable development in rural areas.

Taking place until December 31, 2025, at Hatta Hall, this free festival welcomes public attendance, bringing together beekeepers, honey producers, entrepreneurs, and visitors in a lively atmosphere that showcases Hatta’s rich agricultural heritage and natural beauty.

The festival significantly enhances Hatta’s status as a prime eco- and agri-tourism hub. By merging production, education, quality testing, and sales within a single platform, the event generates direct economic benefits for Emirati producers, small businesses, and family-operated ventures, while elevating Hatta’s role in Dubai’s tourism and economic framework.

This year’s festival features over 50 indoor booths highlighting beekeepers and honey vendors, along with 10 outdoor booths devoted to retail and local businesses. Attendees can also explore an outdoor workshop area, a traditional majlis, a cozy indoor lounge, live cultural performances, children’s entertainment zones, and four food trucks, creating a delightful winter outing for families.

Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, CEO of the Environment, Health, and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, stated that the festival reflects the municipality’s dedication to fostering sustainable agri-tourism while empowering local producers through initiatives that facilitate economic growth, quality assurance, and community involvement. He emphasized that the event intertwines learning, heritage, and enjoyment, while bolstering the local economy and aligning with Dubai’s long-term sustainable tourism and agricultural goals.

A significant highlight this year is the involvement of the Dubai Central Laboratory, which is unveiling a fully integrated laboratory platform for honey analysis. Using advanced infrared technology, the facility performs essential quality and safety tests in under a minute, implementing a thorough testing protocol that includes up to 512 accredited tests, thus enhancing consumer trust and ensuring stringent food safety standards.

Aligned with Dubai Municipality’s commitment to digital transformation, the laboratory is also showcasing an innovative sample reception model utilizing smart technologies. Honey samples are processed through a fully automated robotic system, functioning without human input to guarantee accuracy, reliability, and strict adherence to safety and quality standards.

In conjunction with the festival, Dubai Municipality will introduce a groundbreaking project designed to document the quality of Emirati honey. This initiative aims to establish a laboratory fingerprint and digital identity for local honey, enabling verification of its type, source, and quality through advanced scientific analysis. A partnership agreement with the Hatta Traders Council will be formalized to launch this pioneering venture, marking a first in the UAE.

Beyond commerce and technology, the Hatta Honey Festival serves as a community-oriented winter destination. Through interactive workshops, educational activities, and live performances in both indoor and outdoor areas, the festival enriches community life, fosters entrepreneurship, and promotes participation.

This event forms part of a comprehensive development strategy for the Hatta region, aimed at diversifying the local economy, empowering Emirati innovators, and creating sustainable investment avenues in agriculture and small-scale industries, all while upholding the highest standards of product quality and safety.

#Global News #Dubai