Ras Al Khaimah to host PATA conference

Ras Al Khaimah welcomed more than half million international and domestics visitors between January and June 2022, an increase of 21 per cent versus the same period last year. ‘We are on track to reach over 1.11 million arrivals by the year-end and fully return to pre-pandemic levels in just two years,’ says Iyad Rasbey, Executive Director, Destination Tourism Development & MICE, RAKTDA.

TT Bureau

Could you share about how Ras Al Khaimah fared during this year as borders opened?

Ras A Khaimah is one of the first destinations in the region to recover to pre-COVID levels thanks to the agility of our tourism community during the pandemic, recently announcing our highest visitor numbers since the onset of COVID-19. We have welcomed 521,085 international and domestics visitors between January and June 2022, a total increase of more than 21 per cent versus H1 2021 and a return to pre-pandemic figures from YTD June 2019 and we are on track to reach more than 1.11 million arrivals by the end of the year and to fully return to pre-pandemic levels in just two years. Boasting over 8,000 keys, the Emirate’s strong performance in H1 2022 was bolstered by the opening of several new hotels and resorts including the InterContinental Mina Al Arab and Mövenpick Al Marjan Island, marking the debut of each brand in the Emirate.

Are there new hotels coming up in Ras Al Khaimah?

As a rapidly growing destination, we have 4,617 keys and several new hotel brands in the pipeline, including Marriott, Anantara, Conrad and Sofitel. We are also diversifying our portfolio with sustainable accommodation on Jebel Jais opening in the next few years:

• Earth Hotel Altitude, an eco-based pop-up hotel concept set to feature 16 fully fitted accommodation units, an activation center and swimming pool
• Saij, A Mantis Collection Mountain Lodge, comprising 70 luxury lodges, will provide a pure mountain retreat that focuses on nature as well as mind, body and soul with guided treks, mindful pursuits and creative experiences
• Cloud7 Camp Jebel Jais – the ultimate glamping experience with 30 accommodation units built out of sustainable material.

How will the Wynn hotels in Marjan Island attract visitors to Ras Al Khaimah?

Due to open in 2026 on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island is the multi-billion-dollar integrated resort of almost 250,000 sqm – Wynn Resort on Al Marjan Island. The resort will have more than 1,000 rooms, shopping, meeting and convention facilities, spa, more than 10 restaurants and lounges, extensive entertainment choices, and a gaming area.

As a global renowned brand and targeting the luxury travel market, Wynn is sure to attract well-travelled international tourists and expatriates. It will also create opportunities across numerous sectors, adding value to the economy, creating approximately 11,000 new jobs, and strengthening the Emirate’s service infrastructure across tourism, aviation, hospitality, food and beverage, real estate, logistics, and entertainment, catalysing the growth of the economy.

Ras Al Khaimah is the venue for the PATA conference this year. Could you share how important it is for the Emirate to host the global event?

We have experienced strong growth in the MICE segment thanks to our robust recovery plan that enabled us to emerge resilient and become one of the fastest tourist destinations in the world to recover.  Ras Al Khaimah has already hosted several large in-person events in the past year including the Arab Aviation Summit 2022 and the Global Citizen Forum 2021, bringing together over 400 guests from across 32 countries. We look forward hosting the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit for the first time, bringing together international leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers, who are invested in driving tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific.

What are the main objectives of the event? How many visitors do you expect? How will you get them to make it a bleisure trip?

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is focused on promoting the Emirate as a leading MICE and sporting destination in the Gulf to boost tourism, and we have already announced a number of strategic event partnerships secured in the first half of 2022, including a three-year partnership with Global Citizen Forum to host its prestigious annual summit, and our selection by The World Minifootball Federation (WMF) to stage its biennial international football competition in 2023. Hosting international events such as these brings in thousands of visitors from around the globe to experience the Emirates unique tourism and hospitality offering.

Alongside our extensive MICE offerings, our Emirate also boasts several adventure, culture and luxury travel offerings for all to enjoy.

Will there be new flights for the event?

We are continuously exploring ways to further increase the direct connectivity to Ras Al Khaimah and have recently announced a series of strategic partnerships with airlines and leading tour operators to target emerging source markets such as Gulf Air and IndiGo.

To further boost connectivity, the Authority is developing the Emirate’s burgeoning cruise sector, with the aim of attracting 50 cruise ship calls each season, and over 10,000 passengers within the next few years.

Any new openings in terms of attractions and glamping and lodges for winter?

The region’s first Bear Grylls camp, located on Jebel Jais and featuring the world’s first Bear Grylls branded accommodation, offers a range of thrilling instructor-led survival courses and activities such as mountain biking, hiking, abseiling and rock climbing, designed to test participants’ abilities to thrive and survive under extreme conditions. Reopening this winter and the first of its kind in the world, BGEC offers accommodation on-site in the form of 16 sustainable cabins that can host up to three guests and caters to all those seeking a true outdoor experience.

What are the sustainable practices adopted by Ras Al Khaimah as a destination?

Under our all-encompassing banner of Balanced Tourism, the Authority is shaping tourism in the UAE by placing all aspects of sustainability (environment, culture, conservation and livability) at the centre of its investment and development strategy.

Is there a short term and long term plan for Ras Al Khaimah to promote the destination?

We have three key pillars; we are focused on to further drive visitor numbers, adding more hotel rooms and enhancing our unique tourism proposition, achieving our vision to become a leader in sustainable tourism and increasing our connectivity with key markets. We aim to triple the number of visitors by 2030.