Ras Al Khaimah to attract 820,000 visitors in 2016

Ras Al Khaimah’s Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA) is progressing towards its strategic vision aiming to attract one million visitors to the emirate by 2018.

Ras Al Khaimah’s Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA) is targeting an increase in visitor numbers to 820,000 in 2016, increasing to 900,000 in 2017.

The visitor numbers are set to build upon the 750,000 arrivals targeted for the end of 2015.

The projected figures are in line with the Authority’s vision to attract one million visitors to the emirate by 2018, according to RAK TDA chief executive officer Haitham Mattar.

Approximately 650,000 guests checked into Ras Al Khaimah’s accommodation in the first nine to ten months of this year, marking an 8% increase over the same period in 2014.

“The plan for us to reach one million visitors by 2018 is laid out through a strategic road map, which will predominantly have us focus on diversification of accommodation but also the tourism offering itself — both business and leisure travel,” said Mattar.

In the third quarter of this year, Ras Al Khaimah welcomed 200,000 visitors, an increase of 14% on the same quarter in 2014.

Year-to-date occupancy rates were also up 7.5%, as average room rates rose 2.7%, while RevPAR grew 9.7% on the same period last year.

Ras Al Khaimah is expected to add around 3,600 new hotel rooms to the market between now and 2019. The new rooms are planned to be a mix of four- and five-star hotels, along with serviced apartments.

RAK TDA said stated it expects demand to continue growing over the coming years.