RAK looks to charter flights to boost tourism

Ras al Khaimah has signed a deal with a German tour operator to bring six charter flights a week into the emirate from Europe, boosting tourist numbers by up to 50,000.

The agreement, between the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investment and Development Authority (RAK TIDA); tour operator, Reise Service Deutschland, and Dubai-based DMC World of Travel will see six charter flights a week land in Ras Al Khaimah until June 3, 2012 - five from areas around Germany including Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Berlin and Munich; and one a week from the Austrian capital, Vienna.

The first flight landed at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport on September 27, 2011 at 02:00 am with 235 passengers from Hamburg. Passengers arrived on a RAK Airways' Boeing 757-200 aircraft.

Victor Louis, chief operating officer, RAK TIDA said: "Germany is an important market for Ras Al Khaimah and this new direct charter flight service is a strategic step in achieving our goal of 1.2 million visitors by 2013. With its temperate climate, rugged terrain and superb beach facilities, Ras Al Khaimah offers an ideal getaway for visitors from Europe seeking sun, leisure, adventure and quality experiences with a great value of money."

The expected 50,000 European visitors to Ras Al Khaimah will require 490 hotel rooms daily over the nine-month period that the charter flights will operate.