RAK hotels see RevPAR grow with 40% tourism boost

Feb 2, 2012

The number of visitors to Ras Al Khaimah in 2011 was recorded at 835,200 visitors, exceeding the 2011 target of 800,000 and generating a revenue boost at almost AED 400 million (U$ 108 million).

According to a report by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investment and Development Authority (RAK TIDA), the 2011 visitors to Ras Al Khaimah came from various source markets including Russia, UK, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.

Germany was the emirate’s strongest source market experiencing 200% growth compared to 2010 figures with more than 300,000 visitors in 2011.

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This was followed by the UAE generating more than 200,000 visitors with a growth of 100% compared to last year.

With regards to hotel occupancy, overall, Ras Al Khaimah hotels, including the beach resorts and city hotels performed very well in 2011, showing significant growth in all key areas with 8.62% for the beach resorts and 1.92% for City Hotels.

RevPar improved by 24.50% for the beach resorts and 10.24% for the city hotels, resulting in total hotel revenue increasing to almost AED 400 million (U$108 million), which translates as an increase of 37.61% compared to 2010 figures.

“Ras Al Khaimah TIDA was established in May 2011 and by the end of 2011 we have exceeded our target of welcoming 800,000 visitors to the rising emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. This has been achieved due to the joint cooperation of our travel partners both within Ras Al Khaimah and beyond, and is testimony to Ras Al Khaimah’s viability and attractiveness as a tourist and tourism investment destination,” Victor Louis, chief operating officer, Ras Al Khaimah TIDA said.

The emirate is targeting 1.2 million visitors in 2013 with plans to reach a hotel room inventory of 10,000 rooms by 2016.

Louis added: “With new attractions, hotels and resorts including the 349-room Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah luxury brand property, and the 640-room resort Bab Al Bahr both scheduled to open in Q4 2012, as well as continuing the charter flights from European destinations, our goal is on track and will be achieved in the rising emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.”