What Hero Experiences Group does

Hero Experiences Group is a Dubai-headquartered, privately-held adventure tourism operator founded in 2012 (originally as Platinum Heritage) that delivers air, sea, and land experiences across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. It runs a multi-brand portfolio including Platinum Heritage (sustainable luxury desert safaris in Dubai and AlUla), Hero Balloon Flights (commercial hot air balloon operations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia — the latter being Saudi's first commercial balloon company), The Dubai Balloon (a 360-degree aerial observatory on Palm Jumeirah), Absolute Adventure (outdoor adventure and education programs), Hero Events (corporate events, weddings, and large-scale festivals), Hero Classics (in-house fleet maintenance), and Destination Development & Consulting (B2B advisory for government and tourism authorities).

The underlying operational technology centers on aviation-certified hot-air balloon fleets, weather-dependent and fixed-site aerial experiences, a maintained desert-safari fleet (Land Rover Defender partnership since 2015, upgraded Oct 2023), and self-sustaining remote-camp infrastructure including solar-powered camps and hydro-panel water systems. The group operates an international pilot and operator network, draws on first-of-kind experiential IP (e.g., falconry from hot air balloons, drone-show integration), and runs a fleet-management workshop. No proprietary software platform, mobile app, or AI/ML systems are disclosed.

The business model blends direct-to-consumer unit-priced bookings through brand websites (desert safaris, balloon flights, adventure activities), event management services (corporate, weddings, festivals such as AlUla Skies, Liwa, and Adventure Festival), B2B/B2G destination consulting and training, and outdoor education programs. Customer segments are diversified across individual tourists (primary), corporate clients, government and tourism authorities, educational institutions, and special-occasion customers. Revenue is generated from the UAE (Dubai base) and Saudi Arabia (AlUla, Khaybar) via strategic partnerships with Dubai DET, the Royal Commission for AlUla, Abu Dhabi DCT, and Shurooq. The group has served over 200,000 cumulative guests and accumulated 15+ World Travel Awards since 2017.

Name

Hero Experiences Group

Legal name

Hero Experiences Group

Website

https://hero-experiences.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hero Experiences Group is a Dubai-founded, privately-held adventure tourism operator running air, sea, and land experiences — including luxury desert safaris, hot air balloon flights, outdoor adventures, and festivals — across the UAE and Saudi Arabia under multiple consumer brands, serving tourists, corporates, governments, and educators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Tourism

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152), All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399), Amusement and Theme Parks (713110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Desert & Dune Adventure Tour Operators (Camel treks, sandboarding) (THAAADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Desert & Dune Nature Experiences (THAJAIAG), Aerial Adventure Guiding (Paragliding, Hang Gliding) (THAAALAK), Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB), Private Adventure & Expedition Experiences (Custom Hikes, Safaris, Backcountry) (THAJALAG)

Keywords

• Desert safari tours
• Hot air balloon rides
• Adventure tourism experiences
• Outdoor adventure activities
• Event management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tour Experiences: Direct-to-consumer sales of adventure experiences including desert safaris, hot air balloon flights, and outdoor activities. Customers book and pay for experiences through the company's website and receive services directly.
2. Event Management Services: Planning and execution of corporate events, weddings, special occasions, and large-scale festivals. Revenue generated from event planning, coordination, and on-site execution services.
3. Destination Development & Consulting: Consulting services for government entities, investors, and municipalities seeking to develop tourism destinations. Includes destination planning, site development, portfolio development, investment evaluation, and training programs.
4. Education Programs: Outdoor education experiences for schools and educators, including international trips and hands-on learning programs delivered through Absolute Adventure brand.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hero Experiences Group is a multi-brand adventure tourism company operating premium air, sea, and land experiences across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The company delivers desert safaris, hot air balloon flights, an aerial observatory experience, outdoor adventures, corporate and special-occasion events, destination development consulting for governments, and outdoor education programs.

Product overview

Hero Experiences Group is a multi-brand adventure tourism company operating a portfolio of distinct experience brands across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The company offers air experiences (hot air balloon flights via Hero Balloon Flights and The Dubai Balloon), land experiences (Platinum Heritage desert safaris in Dubai and Saudi Arabia), sea/adventure experiences (Absolute Adventure outdoor activities), and event services (Hero Events for corporate, special occasions, and festivals). Additionally, the company provides destination development and consulting services to government entities and investors, and runs outdoor education programs through Absolute Adventure. The portfolio also includes Hero Boat Tours (self-drive boat experiences). The brands are organized under a unified group identity established in 2019, with operations spanning two countries and multiple experience categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Platinum Heritage: Award-winning sustainable luxury desert safari experiences offering authentic heritage tours in Dubai and Saudi Arabia
• Hero Balloon Flights
• The Dubai Balloon
• Absolute Adventure
• Hero Events
• Hero Balloon Flights Saudi

Products and services

• Platinum Heritage Dubai Dubai's award-winning sustainable-luxury desert safari offering adventure or luxurious journeys through the dunes with heritage and cultural experiences for discerning travellers.
• Hero Balloon Flights Dubai Dubai's premium hot air balloon desert retreat offering storytelling journeys through the skies and sands of Dubai, including themed experiences like DJ on air, foodie and wellness series.
• The Dubai Balloon Dubai's only 360-degree aerial observatory experience on Palm Jumeirah offering unmatched views of the city's skyline, the full expanse of The Palm, and Atlantis.
• Absolute Adventure UAE's leading outdoor adventure provider offering hiking, kayaking, cycling, and experiential education programs that foster a love for nature and learning among explorers.
• Platinum Heritage Saudi AlUla's most immersive historical desert safari offering luxury canyon safaris and astronomy experiences in the Sharaan Nature Reserve of Saudi Arabia.
• Hero Balloon Flights Saudi Saudi Arabia's first commercial hot air balloon company offering aerial experiences unveiling ancient secrets of AlUla as guests float above Hegra's canyons and tombs.
• Hero Events Full-service event management division offering corporate events, weddings, proposals, birthdays, and large-scale festivals including ballooning, adventure, wellness, music, and food festivals.
• Destination Development & Consulting Consulting services for government entities, investors, and municipalities to transform destinations into world-class travel experiences, including destination planning, site development, portfolio development, investment evaluation, training programs, and marketing.
• Education Programs (Absolute Adventure) Outdoor education programs empowering educators to take teaching beyond the classroom into nature, focusing on 21st century skills, progressive learning, outdoor skills development, personal growth, cultural understanding, and physical health.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000+ guests welcomed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SLAWminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2024UAE's multi-awarded burger brand collaborated with Adventure Festival to develop a health-conscious festival menu, including a signature burger crafted exclusively for the event.
• Cycle HubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2024Leading UAE cycling brand provided premium bicycles and facilitated guided cycling sessions tailored to all skill levels at the Adventure Festival.
• Paddlers HubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2024Watersports training centre co-designed water-based race challenges including kayak and paddleboarding experiences at the Adventure Festival. Also partnered for sea kayaking during Strive Challenge.
• WolfiesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2024Renowned bike shop provided exceptional bikes and support for cycling legs of the Strive Challenge, ensuring highest quality equipment for participants.
• LinkVivacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2024Agency behind Liwa Festival IP appointed Hero Balloon Flights to design and deliver aerial activations for the festival in Abu Dhabi, including hot air balloon flights, tethered balloons, moon balloon with acrobatics, and choreographed glow show.
• Land RovercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2015Long-term partnership established in February 2015 for desert safari fleet. In October 2023, the company switched their fleet of Range Rovers to the most modern and ultra-luxurious Land Rover Defenders.
• Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted partnership for destination development and consulting. DET collaborates with Hero Experiences Group to elevate Dubai's tourism offerings and showcase the destination's landscapes and heritage.
• Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHero Balloon Flights partnered with RCU to lead Saudi Arabia's first large-scale ballooning event at the AlUla Skies Festival 2023, operating 40 flights and welcoming 850 guests.
• Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for destination development and tourism experiences in Abu Dhabi region.
• Shurooq – Sharjah Investment and Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for developing Sharjah destinations and experiences, particularly in Kalba for the Adventure Festival.
• Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for destination development in Fujairah region.
• Naghi & SonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the travel and tourism industry, listed among Hero Experiences Group's trusted partnerships.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Arabian Adventures: Emirates Group-owned UAE tour operator offering desert safaris, city tours, and dhow cruises across the Emirates. Closest direct competitor to Hero's Platinum Heritage and overall UAE experience portfolio, with comparable premium positioning, fleet operations, and B2B tourism authority relationships.
• Rayna Tours: Dubai-headquartered DMC and tour operator running desert safaris, city tours, and event services across the GCC with a strong D2C booking platform. Directly comparable in product mix (desert safaris, sightseeing, events) and GTM (own-brand storefront + tourism partnerships), serving the same inbound tourist base.
• Orient Tours: Established UAE tour operator since 1937 offering desert safaris, dhow cruises, and city experiences to inbound tourists. Comparable legacy scale, similar premium-tour positioning, and overlapping customer base of hotel concierges and tour wholesalers in Dubai.
• The Red Sea Global: Saudi PIF-owned destination developer and operator of The Red Sea and Amaala luxury tourism megaprojects. Directly comparable as a Saudi destination development and experiences operator competing with Hero for tourism authority mandates and guest mindshare in KSA's emerging luxury segment.
• Yellow Boats Dubai: Dubai-based operator of rigid-inflatable boat tours, sea experiences, and sightseeing cruises. Comparable to Hero's discontinued Hero Boat Tours and current water-adventure offerings under Absolute Adventure, with the same Dubai Marina departure base and tourist seasonality.
• Wadi Adventure: UAE outdoor adventure park offering kayaking, surfing, rafting, and zip-lining experiences in Al Ain. Directly comparable to Absolute Adventure's outdoor activity portfolio, with similar customer segments (families, schools, corporate team-building) and ticketed adventure business model.
• Desert Adventures Tourism: Specialized Dubai-based desert safari and adventure tour operator running dune bashing, camel rides, and overnight Bedouin camps. Directly comparable to Platinum Heritage's core safari product, serving the same inbound tourist segment with similar experience-led GTM.
• Big Bus Tours Dubai: Global hop-on/hop-off sightseeing tour operator with strong presence in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Comparable as a high-volume D2C tour experience brand with tourism authority partnerships, serving similar inbound tourists seeking structured city/desert sightseeing.

Broad incumbents

• Marriott Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa: Luxury desert resort in Dubai offering desert safaris, falconry, and heritage experiences within a five-star resort product. Overlaps with Platinum Heritage's luxury desert offering but bundles stays; a broader hospitality incumbent that competes for the same high-net-worth desert experience customer.
• Viator: Tripadvisor-owned global online experiences marketplace aggregating tours, activities, and attractions including desert safaris and balloon flights in the UAE. Functions both as a competitor (discovery/booking) and as a customer acquisition channel for Hero-branded experiences; broader incumbent across all of Hero's categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hero Experiences Group