Tourism Envi Lodges to launch third round of fundraising By Gavin Gibbon October 25, 2023, 10:56 AM Envi The planned Envi project at Al Jabel Al Akhdar in Oman will overlook the Hajar mountains ‘Glamping’ specialist seeks expansion cash UAE company has five projects under way Envi has plans to grow in Europe and Africa Envi Lodges, the tented camps and eco-pods specialist, is preparing a third round of fundraising as it seeks to expand regionally and internationally. The UAE ecolodge brand and management company, founded in 2021, has already completed two funding rounds, raising $2 million from investors in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France and the UK. Envi Lodges co-founder Noelle Homsy said the latest round would be complete by the end of January. Nature calls as Dubai ecolodge startup spreads its wings Sustainable tourism the new priority for Middle East Saudi Arabia launches sustainable tourism research centre The global “glamping” (luxury camping) market is predicted to be worth $3.9 billion by 2027, with a 17.5 percent compound annual growth rate, according to KBV Research. Envi, which is incorporated under the Abu Dhabi Global Market jurisdiction, currently has five projects under way. These include a partnership with the Afyaa Group to open and operate three ecolodges in the Al Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia, expected to welcome first guests towards the end of 2024. A deal has been signed with Al Rasim Hotels & Resorts to build the Envi Laguna Bay ecolodge project in King Abdullah Economic City on the Red Sea coast. Envi Paje is due to open in Zanzibar next year and Envi The Islita, in Costa Rica, in 2025. On Tuesday the company announced a partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Defence pension fund to develop a sustainable mountain lodge at Al Jabel Al Akhdar in the Hajar mountains, 100 miles from Muscat. Oman National Tourism Strategy 2040 has set a target of 11.7 million visitors and 80,000 hospitality “keys”, or rental units, focused on nature, adventure and sustainable initiatives. Homsy said two further locations, both in the Middle East, would be announced “imminently”, while the company was looking at a potential partnership in Europe. “Africa is also promising,” Homsy said.
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