What is it that you do?
I am the founder and managing director of Aventura Parks. Driven by a deep passion for human development, my work centers on working with the Aventura team to create meaningful experiences and events for park visitors including families, friend groups, students, and teams. We design programs that include leader development, outdoor education, experiential learning methodologies, and team building. As a mother, teacher, executive coach, and leader, I am dedicated to empowering individuals and teams to reach their fullest potential.
What inspired you to found Aventura Parks?
My passion for education, deeply connected to nature, inspired me to create Aventura Parks—a space that fills a gap in Dubai’s lack of outdoor education venues. The Adventure Park ropes course, Team Building Park, and facilities, set in a beautiful Ghaf tree forest, offer a canvas for memorable and fun experiences for all.
Establishing Aventura and witnessing its profound impact on people’s well-being and education stands as one of my greatest achievements.
To date, we’ve had the privilege of hosting over 300,000 visitors, working with many teams, as they learn more about themselves and each other.
We provide meaningful experiences for our visitors, with natural spaces conducive to reflection, conversation, and fun, while feeling free from the distractions of technology. This dedication is reflected in our 4.6 star rating on Google, with more than 1,000 reviews—a testament to the satisfaction and value we’ve delivered to our community.
What is Aventura Parks?
Have you heard of Dubai’s Ghaf tree forest or “Dubai’s Green Heart”? Aventura Parks has often been referenced by this nickname, and for good reason. Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of establishing Dubai’s leading outdoor venue, as recognized in the 2023 Dubai Economy and Tourism Digital Report.
I’m thrilled to share that Aventura Parks achieved an exceptional performance score of 9.3 points from January to December 2023, surpassing the average scores for other outdoor activities (8.8 points) and the overall Dubai score (8.9 points). This accomplishment reflects the dedication of our team to delivering unforgettable experiences while maintaining the highest standards.
Aventura Parks is more than just an outdoor venue with adventure park circuits and zip lines; it’s a space where people connect with nature. From outdoor education for schools to team-building for corporates, Aventura is a hub for fostering growth, sustainability, and memorable experiences.
What was your biggest challenge in setting up and opening Aventura Parks?
1. Operational Excellence: Ensuring the highest safety standards is a constant focus to maintain our reputation as a top outdoor venue.
2. Human Resources Management: Balancing the human aspect of HR while adhering to rules and regulations is crucial. Managing part-time staff while maintaining impeccable service quality remains a top priority.
3. Seasonal Business Challenges: Operating the park during the summer is not feasible due to extreme weather conditions, which impacts the profitability of the business.
Additionally, as a private company not yet part of Dubai Government entities, we are navigating unique challenges. For example, we are awaiting support from the municipality to improve access to electricity, which will allow us to better utilize our resources and align with sustainability goals in line with the SDG framework.
What has been your biggest success since opening?
The smile of a child, the joy of a teacher visiting, and teams thinking outside the box bring immense satisfaction. Whether it’s mastering the ropes, overcoming their own fears of height, engaged teams collaborating, or being inspired by the science activities we’ve made fun and engaging, each day is an opportunity for growth and discovery at our park.
Tucked away in Mushrif Park, only 10 minutes from Dubai airport, Aventura feels like a nature sanctuary. We ensure every guest is treated with care and respect, creating an environment where they feel valued. From offering unique, delicious food to making their overall experience memorable, our goal is to provide visitors with moments of joy and connection in “Dubai’s Green Heart”.
You offer team-building activities and training, tell us more about this.
At Aventura Parks, we specialize in team building and leader development, offering both tailored and custom programs that address all aspects of organizational growth and culture. Designed to align with company objectives and desired outcomes, our programs focus on fostering trust, connection, and collaboration among teams while also enhancing leadership development, culture building, and self-awareness.
We also host large-scale corporate events, recently welcoming more than 500 guests from organizations like DU, Jotun, and Al Futtaim. Our unique 35,000-square-meter venue, surrounded by greenery and shaded spaces, provides the perfect setting, complemented by exceptional F&B facilities.
Aventura designs and delivers corporate events from start to finish, offering a seamless blend of spaces, catering, and facilitated activities. By co-creating impactful programs with our partners, we help build stronger, more effective teams. Companies choose Aventura as their trusted partner in human development.
What is your most in-demand training program right now?
Aventura Tribes is an unforgettable experience designed for teams seeking to achieve specific objectives through a blend of competition, collaboration, and celebration. This engaging program offers carefully crafted activities, including high and low ropes, that inspire teamwork and personal growth. Each session concludes with guided reflections and group discussions led by our skilled facilitators, enabling participants to gain valuable insights and actionable takeaways.
We are thrilled to introduce our latest addition: the Outdoor Forest Escape Powered by GPS. This nature-focused, interactive adventure combines the thrill of an outdoor escape game with modern gamification techniques. Participants engage in GPS-based challenges while exploring the outdoors, incorporating elements like scavenger hunts and Aventura’s signature rope experiences. Fully customizable, this program can be hosted at Aventura or other locations, ensuring flexibility to suit various needs. All of our programs ensure 100% employee engagement and loads of fun.
Do you have a successful case study you can share?
In 2019 we co-designed the Leaders in Action program with the Chalhoub L&D team as part of their leader development journey. This unforgettable breakthrough experience helps leaders get out of their comfort zone and connect with other leaders while building self-awareness and highlighting “aha” moments that are used throughout the program modules.
As you have grown the business, how have you fostered a great workplace culture?
My “mama” attitude is at the core of my leadership style—rooted in care, dedication, collaboration, and strong listening skills. I am open and attentive to my team, valuing their feedback, even when it’s critical, as an opportunity for reflection and growth.
I approach my role with humility, continually learning from my employees, who know their voices matter and trust that I will always strive to protect their interests. My leadership style is inclusive and approachable; decisions are made collaboratively, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued.
Beyond this, I work tirelessly to support the company, and my dedication is evident to those around me. My commitment to both my team and our stakeholders fosters trust, collaboration, and a shared drive for success.
What are your top THREE tips for leading and managing a large team?
1. Clearly define roles and responsibilities throughout the organization to help instill commitment and accountability.
2. Documentation and training of processes to ensure safety, understanding of our vision, and helping colleagues consistently deliver meaningful and fun experiences to our customers.
3. Innovative product development and continuous improvement, including our Adventure Park and facilities; our programs; and our restaurant, The Ghafé.
What is next for you and Aventura Parks?
The future for Aventura Parks is all about growth and innovation. We are currently in discussions with Dubai Municipality, and I would like to extend my gratitude for their ongoing support.
As part of our expansion, we recently launched the Forest Escape, a thrilling addition to our portfolio and Dubai’s first outdoor escape game. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, with consumers embracing this unique experience.
Who knows? This might just be the start of creating Dubai’s ultimate escape game destination. The possibilities are endless, and I’m excited to continue building and expanding this business to bring more innovative and engaging experiences to our visitors. Find out more on our website: https://www.aventuraparks.com
