RAK talks up tourism potential
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The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investment and Development Authority (RAK TIDA) is gearing up its promotional activities for the remainder of the year, revealing plans to exhibit at a number of international tradeshows.The authority is participating at this month’s Leisure Moscow, the World Travel Market in London this November, the ITB Berlin travel exhibition next March and Arabian Travel Market in May. Additionally, RAK TIDA will launch its new logo and branding to reflect the Authority’s new focus and objectives and launch its revamped website. Victor Louis, COO of RAK TIDA, said: “The importance of tourism for the future social, economic and environmental development and preservation of Ras Al Khaimah cannot be underestimated. While there is much work still to do and goals to be accomplished, it is pleasing that a great amount of ground work has already been achieved within our first five months, forming a solid foundation from which to move forward.”The government is investing in tourism development projects worth AED 600m between now and 2012 with the aim of increasing the number of visitors to the emirate to 1.2 million in 2013 compared to 600,00 visitors in 2010. To accommodate the increasing number of visitors, Ras Al Khaimah is developing new hotels, resorts and villas, which will result in a total inventory of 10,000 hotel rooms by the year 2016. This will be achieved by positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a quality value for money destination, offering leisure and adventure experiences for visitors seeking an enhanced experience of the UAE.” Major projects and initiatives implemented to date include the acquisition of Banyan Tree Al Wadi resort, and the development of the 600-room Marjan Island family resort on five man-made islands off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, which is scheduled to open in October 2012. The Emirate also plans to develop a series of mountain resorts to be located 900 metres above sea level. An exceptional strategic advantage for these mountain resorts is the location’s climate, where the temperature will remain up to 12 degrees less than that at ground level, offering the perfect summer retreat for the UAE residents and visitors. Other new scheduled openings include the Ras Al Khaimah Waldorf Astoria in October 2012 and the Al Hamra Fort Hotel & Beach Resort, scheduled to open as a Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded property in 2013. New tourism experiences are also planned, with a “Pearl Farm and Pearl Museum” scheduled to launch early next year. The attraction will be the first of its kind in the Gulf region and will offer visitors unique opportunities to both learn and experience first-hand the processes of natural pearl production. Louis commented: “It’s been a busy five months, but we are only at the very beginning of what we intend to achieve. It is both extremely exciting and humbling to be part of Ras Al Khaimah’s new push into tourism investment and development. We truly see Ras Al Khaimah as a rising Emirate!”
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