REDEFINING LUXURY

Noelle Homsy and Chris Nader built luxury ecolodge brand ENVI Lodges to redefine what it means to travel luxuriously and responsibly in the experiential outdoor hospitality space. Now, as they move towards closing their third funding round, bigger plans are on the horizon.

- Noelle Homsy

While the GCC has long boasted of iconic skylines, sprawling luxury resorts, and international hotel brands, today's travelers are venturing beyond traditional hotspots and glittering cities in favor of authentic, purpose-driven experiences. While smaller than global segments, the Middle East and Africa's glamping market, valued at $58.3 million in 2024, is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% annually through 2031, driven by rising demand for luxury camping in destinations like the U.A.E., South Africa, and Morocco, according to Cognitive Market Research.

Noelle Homsy and Chris Nader, cofounders of Dubai-based luxury experiential ecolodge management company, ENVI Lodges, are tapping into this growth by redefining luxury travel with nature-infused, sustainability-driven stays. The startup operates eco-friendly tented camps, lodges, and pods using an asset-light model, managing lodges on behalf of third-party owners rather than owning them directly. The majority of lodges in their inventory are 'green field,' according to the cofounders, meaning that they develop lodges owned by different investors from scratch based on ENVI Lodges' brand DNA and guidelines. They also take on and rebrand lodges already in operation.

ENVI Lodges has so far secured two funding rounds-in 2021 and 2022-from European, Saudi, and U.A.E. investors. A third round is currently underway, bringing the company's total funding to $5 million to date. Investor interest is coming from three main profiles: luxury operators diversifying into outdoor hospitality, family offices seeking to invest in ecolodge assets, and private equity funds specializing in niche hospitality brands, according to Nader.