The UAE’s cooler months bring families, friends and outdoor enthusiasts into the desert. Few events capture that spirit quite like the Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive. For retailers, the event is more than a memorable weekend: it is a useful reminder to prepare camping and picnic ranges before customers start planning their own desert trips, family outings and overnight adventures.
There are thousands of UAE residents that spend the weekends out in the desert – just for this event over a thousand civilians participated. That is a great deal of demand for the outdoor gear. Some that go as a group purchase in bulk, others come into the store as families to choose products that meet all family member tastes.
Image: Gulf News Fun Drive 2025 — participants exploring the dunes during the 43rd Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive. Photo credit: Gulf News / Virendra Saklani. View the original Gulf News photo gallery.
A UAE outdoor tradition built around adventure and togetherness
The Fun Drive began in 1986 with 75 four-wheel-drive vehicles. It grew into a long-running annual event that brings together off-road enthusiasts, families and friends to experience the desert in a supported, communal setting. It is not a race: the appeal lies in the route, the landscape, the camp and the shared experience.
The 43rd Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive took place on 15–16 February 2025 at Tilal Swaihan, near Al Ain. The event included a desert drive, an overnight camp and entertainment. Gulf News’ photo gallery showed vehicles crossing the dunes, families relaxing beneath ghaf trees, participants enjoying the gathering and children taking part in cultural entertainment. The official event information described a loop route that began and ended at Tilal Swaihan.
These details underline an important retail point: a successful outdoor outing requires more than a vehicle. Participants and families also value comfortable seating, shade, picnic equipment, places to rest and practical ways to carry their supplies.
Five ways retailers can prepare with camping gear
1. Make tents the centrepiece of the display
Tents are a natural focal point for a camping section. A family-sized tent helps shoppers imagine a complete weekend outdoors. Retailers should make capacity, dimensions and setup information easy to find, then cross-sell sleeping bags, portable lights, picnic mats and folding seats. Keep product claims accurate and make sure shoppers understand what is included with each tent.
2. Promote portable seating for camp and picnic breaks
Folding seats and ground chairs are relevant to customers who want a comfortable place to rest without carrying bulky furniture. Display a chair opened beside a folded example so customers can see both its use and compact storage size. Position seats near picnic mats, tables and outdoor lighting to encourage complementary purchases.
3. Merchandise picnic mats as an easy add-on
Picnic mats appeal to customers who may not be planning an overnight stay. They work for park visits, beach outings and casual gatherings, making them a useful entry-level item. If the mat folds into a carry bag, show that feature clearly. Bundle it with a picnic bag, folding seat or portable table.
4. Build an outdoor-meal display around picnic tables
A small display combining a picnic table, seating and a mat shows customers how the products work together. Retailers can suggest combinations for family picnics, desert camping and outdoor gatherings. If the product folds for transport, highlight the packed size and setup details instead of relying on a generic “outdoor” label.
5. Add bags and practical carry solutions
Camping and picnic bags, folding shopping carts and telescopic stools help customers organise and transport their gear. Place them beside tents and picnic products, or near checkout as useful add-ons. Small accessories can be easy to overlook when displayed alone, but their purpose becomes clearer when shown as part of a complete outdoor kit.
How retailers should plan for the next Fun Drive or similar event
- Plan early: Review last season’s sales, confirm supplier lead times and identify which essentials need deeper stock.
- Create occasion-led displays: Use themes such as “Family Camping Weekend”, “Picnic Essentials” and “Comfort Under the Stars”.
- Suggest bundles: Pair a tent with sleeping bags, or a picnic mat with a bag and folding seats. Check margins before discounting.
- Prepare online content: Publish a UAE camping checklist, clear product photos, accurate dimensions and practical buying guidance.
- Replenish according to sales: Use actual demand to guide repeat orders rather than assuming every event will create the same sales pattern.
- Promote responsible outdoor habits: Encourage customers to follow event rules, check conditions, respect the environment and take their rubbish home.
Prepare for the season, not just one weekend
The Fun Drive highlights the UAE’s enthusiasm for desert exploration and time spent outdoors with family and friends. Retailers can serve that interest throughout the cooler months by stocking practical camping essentials and merchandising them as complete solutions. Al Qadah supplies camping products to retailers and online businesses; explore the Al Qadah camping range when planning your next outdoor assortment.
A request to Gulf News: please bring the Fun Drive back
To the Gulf News team: thank you for creating an event that has brought people together around the UAE’s remarkable desert landscape for decades. The 2025 Tilal Swaihan experience showed how much participants value the drive, the camp and the memories made along the way. We hope Gulf News will organise another Fun Drive soon and give families, friends and outdoor enthusiasts another opportunity to share this special UAE tradition. We look forward to seeing the next chapter of the Fun Drive—and to retailers helping more people prepare for their outdoor adventures.
Event details in this article refer to the 2025 edition. Please check the official Gulf News Fun Drive website for announcements about future editions. The Gulf News photograph is credited to Gulf News and linked to its original gallery; product images are from Al Qadah’s camping page.