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How to Start a Camping Grounds, Recreational Vehicle Parks and Trailer Parks Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
The UAE is not a country most travellers associate with camping grounds and outdoor accommodation, yet it is one of the richest outdoor hospitality destinations in the region. Behind its coastal cities lies a landscape of extraordinary diversity: the orange dunes of Ras Al Khaimah’s desert, the dramatic ravines of Wadi Shawka, the mountain terrain of Jebel Jais rising to 1,934 metres, the green hills and dam reservoir of Hatta in the Hajar range, and coastline spanning the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. This landscape has produced a sophisticated outdoor accommodation sector that ranges from traditional Bedouin-style desert camps to transparent bubble tents for stargazing, Airstream-style retro trailers, wellness-focused mountain retreats, and all-inclusive glamping resorts.
The global market context supports significant growth. The camping and caravanning market was valued at USD 60.02 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 92.73 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 7.51%, according to Research and Markets¹. The glamping sub-segment, the most commercially active format in the UAE outdoor accommodation market, was valued at USD 3.79 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 7.87 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 9.5%, according to Grand View Research². The 18 to 32 age group accounts for 43.9% of global glamping revenue, and pitch or campsite rental led the camping and caravanning market with a 61.7% revenue share in 2025.
The UAE’s outdoor accommodation market spans all seven emirates and three distinct landscape types. The National identified 27 active camping and glamping locations across the UAE in its 2025 review, including desert camps in Ras Al Khaimah accommodating hundreds of guests, mountain glamping at 1,770 metres on Jebel Jais, Airstream trailer accommodation in Hatta’s mountain district, dome and bubble tent stargazing camps, and wellness retreats listed among global healing hospitality networks. Unlike most ISIC 5520.xx activities in some jurisdictions, this code in Meydan Free Zone requires no third-party regulatory pre-approval. The licence can be issued directly.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Desert and wilderness camping ground operators | Operators of camping grounds and outdoor accommodation facilities in desert, wadi, and wilderness settings providing tent pitches, sleeping facilities, shared amenities, and recreational programming for short-stay visitors, typically incorporating guided activities, traditional hospitality. |
| RV park, caravan and trailer park operators | Operators of recreational vehicle parks, caravan sites, and trailer parks providing designated vehicle pitches, powered sites, utility hookups, and shared facilities for short-stay visitors travelling with recreational vehicles, campervans, caravans, or trailers. |
| Glamping and premium outdoor accommodation operators | Operators of glamping facilities and premium outdoor accommodation providing furnished tents, dome tents, bubble tents, tree houses, safari-style tents, pods, or other distinctive outdoor shelter formats at campsite or wilderness locations. |
5520.00 - Camping Grounds, Recreational Vehicle Parks and Trailer Parks
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Desert and wilderness camping grounds | Desert and wilderness camping ground operations Operation of a camping ground or outdoor accommodation site in desert, wadi, mountain, or wilderness terrain providing tent pitches, protective shelters, bivouac facilities, or simple shared overnight accommodation for short-stay visitors, typically accompanied by guided activities, campfire facilities, and access to the natural landscape. |
| RV parks and caravan sites | Recreational vehicle park and caravan site operations Operation of a recreational vehicle park, caravan site, or trailer park providing designated pitches with utility hookups, powered sites, shower and sanitation facilities, and parking for short-stay visitors travelling in recreational vehicles, campervans, caravans, or trailers. |
| Glamping and premium outdoor accommodation | Glamping and premium outdoor accommodation operations Operation of a glamping facility or premium outdoor accommodation site providing distinctive furnished outdoor shelters, including dome tents, bubble tents, tree houses, safari-style luxury tents, pods, or Bedouin-inspired chalets, at a campsite or wilderness location with a level of comfort and amenity exceeding traditional camping. |
Code 5520.00 covers short-stay outdoor accommodation in campgrounds, RV parks, trailer parks, and glamping facilities. It does not cover hotels, guesthouses, or other indoor short-stay accommodation formats within the 5510.xx group. It also does not cover the provision of accommodation on a monthly or annual basis for permanent residential use (ISIC 6820); outdoor recreation services or adventure activity operations without an accommodation component (ISIC division 93); restaurant or food and beverage services operated independently of a camping facility (ISIC division 56); or the sale or manufacture of recreational vehicles, tents, or camping equipment (ISIC division 45–47). Operators of camping grounds in the UAE must also comply with applicable land use, environmental, and emirate-level tourism regulations for the specific site location.
In short: if you provide short-stay outdoor accommodation in a campground, RV park, trailer park, or glamping facility, no third-party pre-approval is required and you are in. If you operate a hotel, provide long-term residential caravan or camping accommodation, or run adventure activities without an overnight accommodation component, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
Camping Grounds, Recreational Vehicle Parks and Trailer Parks does not require pre-approval from any third-party regulatory authority as a condition of the Meydan Free Zone licence, and the licence may be issued directly without external sign-off before commencing camping ground or outdoor accommodation activities.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
Camping Grounds, Recreational Vehicle Parks and Trailer Parks is not classified as a Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP) under UAE anti-money laundering legislation, and businesses operating under this activity code are not subject to AML registration or reporting obligations specific to this licence category.
References
- ¹ Research and Markets, Camping and Caravanning Global Market Report 2025 - https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5939599/camping-caravanning-global-market-report
- ² Grand View Research, Glamping Market Size, Share and Trends 2033 - https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/glamping-market
- ³ Precedence Research, Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds Market Size to Hit USD 11.17 Bn by 2034 - https://www.precedenceresearch.com/recreationa-vehicle-parks-and-campgrounds-market
- ⁴ The National, The UAE’s 27 Best Camping and Glamping Spots - https://www.thenationalnews.com/travel/2025/10/28/camping-glamping-uae-dubai-abu-dhabi-sharjah-ras-al-khaimah/
- ⁵ Time Out Ras Al Khaimah, The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Ras Al Khaimah - https://www.timeoutrasalkhaimah.com/things-to-do/camping-in-ras-al-khaimah
