Banyan Tree Al Wadi and Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach was part of RAK's first tourism delegation to the KSA. Banyan Tree Al Wadi and Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach was part of RAK's first tourism delegation to the KSA.

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is eyeing Saudi tourists as figures show they are amongst the highest spenders in the emirate.

According to RAK TDA, Saudi Arabia represents a small but valuable and fast growing proportion of the ‘rising emirate's’ tourism market. In 2012, 3,542 tourists from the KSA visited the emirate – an increase of 234% compared to 2011.

TDA also revealed visitors from the KSA have a significantly higher average hotel spend per guest than other source markets, spending on average, US $110 per room in 2012.

In comparison UAE guests splashed out US $98 per person, while German visitors spent US $78 and the Russians $68 per guest.

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In light of the findings RAK’s Tourism Development Authority recently sent its first tourism delegation to the Riyadh Travel Fair, which ran from 23-25 April.

The delegation included representatives from key resorts including Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, which will be the UAE’s first Waldorf Astoria when it opens later this year, plus Banyan Tree Al Wadi and Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach.

“Over the past two years we have spotted a growing trend of KSA holiday makers choosing Ras Al Khaimah,” said Victor Louis, chief executive officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

“We see important potential for development here and, looking forward, anticipate that Saudi Arabia will play an increasingly important role in our growth strategy for the emirate.”