Tag Archives: RAKTDA

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)  announced stellar visitor figures for 2019 with arrivals up almost 4 per cent to 1.12 million and RevPAR recorded at an impressive $114.90, amongst the highest in the region. This was reflected by the strong yearly occupancy rates, averaging at 74 per cent.  Last year’s inbound growth was spurred by a variety of activities undertaken by the Emirate, inclusive of the launch of the Jais Sky tour, and hosting of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, Tough Mudder and the prestigious UAE tour. In addition, corporate activity and M!CE participation further contributed to the growth in visitor numbers, with RAKTDA conducting 122 familiarisation trips, participating at 20 exhibitions and completing 34 roadshows across 16 countries. Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, commented, “2019 was a positive year for Ras Al Khaimah, as we saw increased footfall from key markets resulting in the overall arrival growth of almost 4 per cent. Ras Al Khaimah is in the midst of its three-year destination strategy which aims to broaden its reach through increased segmentation. A key focus has been on higher yield visitors such as M!CE delegates, as well as prioritising sustainable nature-based adventure and culture driven activities and experiences.”

The 2020 Arab Aviation Summit (AAS) announced an array of top executives for its eighth edition, to be held on March 16 and 17 at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Themed, ‘Linking cultures, driving economies,’ the summit will bring together an audience of key industry stakeholders and experts to participate in high-level dialogue on the latest trends, challenges and opportunities facing Arab travel and tourism. Global and regional industry experts will also discuss the contribution of the aviation and tourism sector to economies, and how it adds value to the economic diversification narrative of the region. They will evaluate the challenges faced by the aviation sector and share ideas and strategies to address them.  Amongst the line-up of aviation and tourism thought leaders participating in the event are Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia; Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority;  Hussain Omar bin Alawi Alibrahim, Head of Air Transportation (Aviation), The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of Gulf (GCC); Aradhana Khowala, CEO & Founder, Aptamind Partners, Board Member & Member of the Steering Committee – World Tourism Forum Lucerne, Chair of the Advisory Board – The Red Sea Project Saudi Arabia; Mikail Houari, President Africa and Middle East, Airbus; Maher Koubaa, Executive Vice President, Amadeus;  Rehab Mansoor, General Manager, REHLATY by dnata Travel New Ventures; Jacques Khoriaty, Middle East & South Asia Aviation Director, EGIS; Hussein Dabbas, General Manager – Special Projects MEA, Embraer; Emad Al Monayea, Chairman, Vaayu Group;  Sudeep Ghai, Chief Customer & Commercial Officer, Fly a Deal; Gavin Eccles, Managing Partner, GE Aviation & Tourism. Endorsed by Arab Governments and previously held in …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) is set to open a skatepark at Saqr Park in Ras Al Khaimah, with a fun-filled family event from February 27-29, 2020. A free public event that’s open to all, skatepark at Saqr Park will come to life from 3 pm to 10 pm each day in an alfresco festival of food, shopping and skating action. Its official opening will be celebrated on February 28 with special performances from renowned international skateboarders – 15-year-old Isabelly Avila, her father Garcia Rodriguez and 13-year-old Virginia Fortes Aguas. They will also lead workshops where visitors will have the opportunity to skate with the pros and pick up key techniques, skills and tricks. There will also be games, entertainment, music and an array of delicious food options to choose from throughout the three-day event as well as an outdoor market of goods from local artisans and retailers for those looking to do some shopping. Its opening aligns with RAKTDA’s mandate to cater to the array of interests of visitors to the emirate as well as the local community. It offers a well-equipped outdoor space spanning 620 sqm for the UAE’s growing skating community and guests to face off against a series of obstacles, including a bowl, pyramids, ledges, banks and round rails. The park will enhance Saqr Park’s standing as a one-of-a-kind leisure venue and is set to become a hotspot for the emirate’s avid skateboarders, rollerbladers and BMX bike riders. 

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) will host a dedicated ‘Meetings Intelligence Workshop’ to strengthen the UAE’s position in the international meetings market. Taking place in Ras Al Khaimah at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel on March 1 and 2, 2020, the event forms part of an ongoing partnership between Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and the ICCA to address the increasing competition stemming from the shift of the international meetings market to the Middle East.  Specially designed for meetings suppliers and industry professionals, the workshop will address the bidding process and business development opportunities for association meetings and will host interactive sessions with recognised international stakeholders to share expertise, best practice and knowledge. Focus will be placed on subjects such as customer insights and successful bidding processes, with representatives from Spain, the UAE, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia, including Convention Bureaus, Convention & Exhibition Centres, PCOs and DMCs, participating in the workshop. This will be complemented by a panel discussion for up to 40 guests with key stakeholders in the region. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism, comments, “The common objective of the workshop is to share knowledge, address challenges and learn best practices with meetings management professionals. Participants and speakers are those looking to deepen their knowledge of association meetings and are interested in high-level education with a chance to network with leading PCOs from all over the world.”

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has unveiled the Jais Adventure Peak, Jebel Jais. The Emirate’s latest adventure tourism offering includes the Jebel Jais Flight, Jais Sky Tour and Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Park, in addition to the brand new Jais Adventure Center and Jais Sky Maze. Set amidst the magnificent Hajar mountain range, the grand opening took place in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, top hospitality industry professionals and VIP guests. Following the official opening ceremony, guests were treated to an exclusive first-look at the new Jais Adventure Center and Jais Sky Maze as well as the chance to explore the canyons and spectacular views through the exhilarating Jais Sky Tour. The event also included a series of extreme sport activations by local adrenaline junkies, including wing suit diving by Khalifa Alghafri and a BMX show by Abdul Rahman Al Abadli, in addition to parkour stunts and a skateboard show, setting the tone for the adventure fueled launch. Jasim Bin Darwish Al Shamsi, the youngest Barista in the UAE and owner of Jeon Coffee, was also on hand to provide guests with his signature blends. The Jais Adventure Peak will further support Ras Al Khaimah in attracting guests of all ages with a love for exploration and adventure. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, commented, “The Jais Adventure Peak captures Ras Al Khaimah’s adventurous spirit through a series of adrenaline-pumping experiences that will leave a lasting impression on our guests and unforgettable memories; everything from the views they will take in as they make their way up to the …

Exceeding its target of attracting 1 million visitors by 2018, Ras Al Khaimah reported 1,072,066 visitors from domestic and key international markets during the year. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reported a 10 per cent growth in visitors compared to 2017, led by the UAE domestic market which continues to generate 38 per cent of overall visitors. Germany continues to be the leading international source market with 83,605 visitors, followed by Russia, with 83,531 visitors – up by a significant 17 per cent on 2017. The third largest source market was the UK, with 63,054 visitors, up 11.5 per cent; India was fourth with 62,325 visitors, up 22 per cent; rounding out the top five was Kazakhstan with 27,168 visitors, a growth of 28 per cent. One of Ras Al Khaimah’s key milestones in 2018 was the launch of Jebel Jais Flight – the world’s longest zipline, which has welcomed over 25,000 flyers since opening 12 months ago. This put Ras Al Khaimah on the map, breaking the world record and strengthening the emirate’s credentials as the fastest growing adventure tourism destination in the region. Haitham Mattar, CEO, RAKTDA said, “2018 has been another remarkable year for the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in terms of achievements and milestones accomplished, primarily exceeding our target of 1 million visitors. With the current robust visitor demand, solid regional and international partnerships in place and iconic product launches over the past few years, Ras Al Khaimah is on a mission to further assert its position as the fastest growing tourism destination in the region, whilst promoting our emirate’s breadth of offerings to regional and international target markets”. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority …

In line with its new Destination Strategy 2019-21 and long-term objectives of strengthening the emirate’s presence in key international markets, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced the opening of its first international representative office in Prague, Czech Republic to manage and oversee the authority’s activities in Central and Eastern Europe. The new office will play a vital role in promoting the destination and driving further growth in the number of visitors travelling to Ras Al Khaimah. In 2018, visitor numbers from the Czech Republic and Hungary were up by 18.4 per cent and 11.4 per cent respectively compared to the previous year. Announcing the opening of the new office, Haitham Mattar, CEO, RAKTDA said, “Our Destination Strategy 2019-21 aims to attract 1.5 million visitors to the emirate by 2021. We believe that by providing a compelling proposition and establishing dedicated presence in our key international target markets, we will be able to promote the destination and its diverse offering driving growth in visitor numbers. Central and Eastern European countries are amongst the fastest growing markets for us and frequently rank in our top ten source markets for visitors. The new representative office in Prague will support our promotional activities, trade partnerships and help us develop the region’s high potential outbound market.” Adding to RAKTDA international representation offices in UK, Germany, Russia and Nordics, the Prague office will support RAKTDA’s initiatives to drive further awareness of the emirate as a multi-faceted leisure destination to Central and East European travellers.

Launched by Enter Air, a charter airline of reputed tour operator TUI Poland landed its inaugural direct flight carrying 185 passengers from Wroclaw to Ras Al Khaimah. The new route will be served once a week every Sunday, providing Polish travellers a direct and more accessible access to Ras Al Khaimah. Ras Al Khaimah’s attractiveness as a destination for international travellers continues to be strong, accounting for 62% of overall visitors in the first three quarters of 2018. As part of its Destination 2019 strategy, RAKTDA has significantly increased its promotions in Europe showcasing the diversity of the destination to core audiences in key markets. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport now welcomes direct charter and scheduled services from various global destinations including Cairo, Islamabad, Jeddah, Lahore, Peshawar, Calicut, Katowice, Poznan, Warsaw, Luxemburg, Prague and Moscow in addition to Wroclaw. Haitham Mattar, Chief Executive Officer, RAKTDA said, “Over the last few years, Poland has become one of the strongest international tourism source markets to RAK, and therefore this step is an important strategic development that will further facilitate the successful bilateral ties between both countries. Moreover, this new addition expands the network of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport even further, reflecting the strong global confidence in the emirate’s travel and tourism industry. Europe is a key market for the emirate, and we are very confident that this new route will be extremely successful in increasing visitor arrivals to the emirate even further.”

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) recently hosted the UK’s “Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO)” annual conference. The conference welcomed 120 of the UK’s top specialist travel companies to the UAE’s northern Emirate and introduced them to the destination with its diverse and spectacular offering. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) is an umbrella organisation that represents Britain’s best independent tour operators. Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said, “The United Kingdom has held its position as one of the top four key source markets for Ras Al Khaimah Tourism over the past few years and continues to show huge potential for further growth. In the first ten months of 2018, Ras al Khaimah saw visitors from the UK increase by 11 per cent over the previous year. RAKTDA aims to increase the number of the UK visitors in 2019 by 20 per cent through increased marketing and trade partnerships.” Derek Moore, Chairman, AITO, commented, “We’re thrilled to have been invited by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourist Development Authority (RAKTDA). It has been particularly exciting for AITO members to visit such a fascinating destination that is on the cusp of change in terms of tourism.” Gemma Antrobus, Chair – AITO Specialist Travel Agents, commented, “This is a destination with enormous potential for AITO Specialist Travel Agents, who are always on the lookout for somewhere a little different from the mainstream. It offers the perfect balance of beach, activity, history and culture, providing the variety that many of our discerning clients seek and that AITO agents enjoy selling!”

In its 12th edition, an event is being organised by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in partnership with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), providing a platform for global tourism practitioners and policy makers to share best practices, analyse and explore opportunities and challenges that will affect the future of sustainable development goals. As part of the event, Haitham Mattar, CEO, RAKTDA, delivered his address on “Sustainable Tourism Development – an overview and vista towards 2030”, where he delved into the key areas of focus and implementations that Ras Al Khaimah is undergoing. Ras Al Khaimah’s journey towards being a sustainable tourism destination was formally communicated in January 2016 – when RAKTDA launched Destination 2019, a detailed tourism strategy for the Emirate which was produced after extensive research and analysis. In partnership with the Waste Management Authority, RAKTDA has put recycling guidelines in place for the Emirate’s hotels, as part of the Emirate-wide initiative to reduce landfill waste by 75 per cent by 2021.