Ras Al Khaimah, one of the rapidly rebounding tourism markets in the UAE, said it is on track to boost the number of visitors to the emirate by 12 per cent this year to more than 1.11 million.
The emirate received 990,000 visitors in 2021 and 1.1 million in 2019.
Between January and June this year 521,085 international and domestic tourists visited Ras Al Khaimah, a 21 per cent increase from the first half of 2021 and a return to pre-pandemic figures in the same period in 2019, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said in a statement.
The growth is driven by new direct flight connections, new hotel openings across the emirate and developing the cruise sector.
"This is all the more remarkable given the current economic and geopolitical landscape in which we operate that drives our focus on what's important for long-term resilience ― diversification, community and sustainability," said Raki Phillips, chief executive of the authority.
Ras Al Khaimah continues its rebound from the effects of Covid-19 through opening new resorts, developing Jebel Jais attractions, enhancing hiking trails and promoting its beaches and mountains to travellers seeking open, spacious areas for personal wellness post-pandemic.
The emirate opened several new hotels and resorts, including Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah on Marjan Island, the InterContinental Mina Al Arab and, most recently, the debut of Movenpick at Al Marjan Island.
Ras Al Khaimah now has more than 8,000 hotel rooms, with 4,617 in the pipeline over the next few years, according to the authority's statement.
The authority also recently signed partnerships with airlines and tour operators to target emerging and growing source markets. This includes the introduction of new direct flight routes from major cities in Germany, including Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich.
To further boost connectivity, the authority is developing the cruise sector, with the aim of attracting 50 cruise ship calls each season, and more than 10,000 passengers within the next few years, it said.
“Already one of the fastest growing destinations in the region, the first half of 2022 has set us off on a very strong trajectory for the year. It is great to see the strategic investments made by the authority throughout a very challenging period yield such strong results,” Mr Phillips said.
“As Ras Al Khaimah continues to expand its tourism, we expect to go from strength to strength."
Ras Al Khaimah's planned multibillion-dollar resort on Marjan Island with Las Vegas hotel operator Wynn Resorts will create at least 4,000 jobs and become the next catalyst for tourism in the emirate and the UAE, Mr Raki said in an interview in May.
The economic benefits from the mega resort will be significant, stimulating foreign direct investments and employment in the northern emirate, he told The National during the Arabian Travel Market.
Wynn Resorts, the Las Vegas-based hotel and casino operator, in January announced plans to develop a multibillion-dollar beachside resort in Ras Al Khaimah, the biggest FDI in the emirate.
The resort, which is designed to include 1,000 rooms and a gaming area, will open in 2026. Wynn is best known for its casino hotel resorts in Las Vegas, Boston and Macau.
10 summer hotel deals in the UAE worth checking out - in pictures
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Second ODI
England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)
England win by 86 runs
Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley
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Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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