(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Ras Al Khaimah is well on its way to achieving its 900,000 visitor target for 2017, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has said.
The latest results by the RAKTDA revealed that international visitor arrivals for the first nine months of this year show a nine per cent growth on the same period in 2016. In addition, visitor arrivals over the January to September 2017 period reached 631,617, and guest nights grew 12.4 per cent. Occupancy rose 1.3 per cent to 69.2 per cent, while length of stay came in at 3.55 days - a growth of nine per cent.
Germany, Russia, the UK, India and Kazakhstan came in as the emirate's top five international source markets, with the most prominent growth from Russia, with arrivals growing 66.34 per cent. Other major international gains came from the Czech Republic, which delivered 67.58 per cent growth, and Poland, with arrivals soaring by 281.97 per cent.
Aside from the domestic UAE market, which still contributes to more than a third of overall visitors, Saudi Arabia was the emirate's largest regional market with arrivals from the kingdom increasing 3.3 per cent in the first nine months compared to the same period last year.
Haitham Mattar, chief executive officer of the RAKTDA, told Khaleej Times that it is an exciting time for the tourism industry in the emirate, withthe increased focus on Jebel Jais and active adventurers over the last 12 months. "With further products to be introduced later this year, the appeal of the emirate as a year-round destination, offering more than just sun and sand, is attracting increasing visitors and tourism investors," he added.
Ras Al Khaimah's increasing hotel and resort portfolio is expected to grow by more than 4,000 rooms over the next three years, across various categories. Hotel capacity is expected to number 15,000 to 20,000 rooms by 2025, with a mix of three to five-star properties.
"As Ras Al Khaimah draws closer to reaching the one million-visitor target by the end of 2018, the need for quality hotel rooms has never been so important," Mattar added. "We are working closely with travel and tourism stakeholders to ensure we attract the right brands and accommodation options to support sustainable growth across the emirate." The Jebel Jais Via Ferrata has been a key factor in establishing the emirate as a leisure activity and adventure destination, Mattar pointed out.
"This month's Vivaldianno concert and new attractions opening in coming months, such as the world's longest zip line and a multi-viewing deck, leverage our natural mountain terrain to complement our traditional desert and beach propositions," he added.
New hotels slated for opening in the emirate include RAK Properties' 300-room Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort, which is due to open early 2020 with the emirate's first overwater villas, and its 350-room InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort, scheduled to open in 2019; the Park Inn by Radisson Resort on Marjan Island by the third quarter of next year; a Diamonds International Corporation luxury hotel and residential apartment project; a 460-room Mvenpick Hotels & Resorts property; a 225-key Avani Al Marjan Island; and a Millennium resort, which will add a further 350 rooms when it opens during the last quarter of 2020.
Other hotel brands marking their entrance in the emirate include Marriott, Sheraton Four Points and City Max, while both The Cove Rotana Resort and Bin Majid Beach Resort are being expanded.
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Rohma Sadaqat I am a reporter and sub-editor on the Business desk at Khaleej Times. I mainly cover and write articles on the UAE's retail, hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.Originally from Lahore, I have been living in the UAE for more than 20 years. I graduated with a BA in Mass Communication, with a concentration in Journalism, and a double minor in History and International Studies from the American University of Sharjah.If you see me out and about on assignment in Dubai, feel free to stop me, say hello, and we can chat about the latest kitten videos on YouTube.
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