Ras Al Khaimah to develop casual-dining sector

As part of its drive to double tourism figures in the next two years, Ras Al Khaimah Hospitality Group will develop the casual-dining sector in the emirate.

Negotiations are already taking place with international and local investors to manage the outlets, and the main areas the hospitality group will focus on are: the enhancement of service facilities at Saqr Park; the upgrade of F&B concepts in the shopping malls; new outlets along the RAK Corniche; new F&B concepts in Al Hamra Golf Club and Al Hamra Yacht Club.

Victor Louis, the new chief executive officer of the group said: “We are looking to develop the casual dining market mostly. We need the fast food and the casual dining options.

“The demand is here but the infrastructure has not been available before now. We have never targeted the development of the F&B before. But now [we want to develop tourism] we can’t just sit and wait for people to come knocking at our door to say ‘hey, I want to open a restaurant’. That’s why we are setting up some outlets and then inviting people to come and see what we’re doing.

“It’s not a time for high-end concepts in Ras Al Khaimah. There are enough in hotels. We are looking at casual dining; at ‘affordable luxury’.

“We are planning to expand the dining variety that the emirate offers to its residents and visitors to include Lebanese, Egyptian, Thai, seafood, Indian, bakeries and fast food.

“Our central Corniche is a bit like JBR in Dubai. With the beach, and the mangroves. We are developing 15 outlets there. We are setting standards and making a benchmark for newcomers.

“Currently there are 44 dining outlets in the emirate, including the independent and hotel restaurants. We are looking to expand this to more than 100 by 2016."