Ras Al Khaimah offers the opportunity to put together adventure packages for clients. Ras Al Khaimah offers the opportunity to put together adventure packages for clients.

In addition, there is a main clubhouse with pro shop, bar and restaurant, sunset terrace and an academy clubhouse, gym and café.

"With two championship courses in the emirate now and an AED 450 (US $123) fee for a round compared to AED 750 ($204) in Dubai, there is an incentive for golf tourists to base themselves in RAK, visiting Dubai to play a course or two - rather than the other way," says White.

"Overseas golf rounds in the UAE decreased last year as it became expensive and we can help revive this sector by offering net rates to hotels and operators for three- and five-day play so they can put together bookable packages."

 

With two championship courses in the emirate now and an AED 450 fee for a round compared to AED 750 in Dubai, there is an incentive for golf tourists to base themselves in RAK.


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Future prospects

But while golf, sea life, desert adventures, spas and nature are already shaping up as some of RAK's clearest tourism plus points, there is a swathe of projects underway that will considerably enhance its destination credentials in future bolstering the appeal of the current price proposition that considerably undercuts its neighbour at the other end of the Emirates Road.

Plans for an iconic convention and exhibition centre were unveiled at Arabian Travel Market in May, including a US $400million design for three 750-room hotels, a 50,000m² venue with five exhibition halls with a capacity to host 4000 delegate conferences, shopping mall, plazas, courtyards and roof gardens.

In addition, the emirate is hosting a range of projects including the RAK Media Free Zone and Film City in conjunction with Hollywood's Mirage Holdings with an international film museum, academy and polo field; the Jebel Al Jais mountain resort with ski slopes; another country club and golf course; Wow RAK with two theme parks, and even a commercial space port with launchpad for sub-orbital flights, a training centre and museum.

On the coast, Marjan Island, Dana Island, Mina Al Arab, Mangrove Island, Ma'Arid Bay, and Saraya Islands will all include resort elements, the latter with a water theme park, planetarium, marina and sailing institute.

And, to complement all of this, RAK Airways has some ambitious plans for expansion that will include potential for tourist charters as well as scheduled services to their key source markets.

 

Upcoming hotels

Q4, 2008 - The Cove Rotana Resort (202 rooms)

Q1, 2009 - Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah (101 suites)

Q2, 2009 - The Palace Ras Al Khaimah (300 rooms)

2009 - Acacia Hotel & Apartments (500 rooms)

2009 - Ras Al Khaimah Marriott Resort (300 rooms)

2009 - Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa (330 rooms)

2009 - Qas'r Al Fala by Coral International (120 rooms)

2009 - Radisson SAS Hotel Al Qurm (269 rooms)

2009 - Bab Al Bahr resort at Al Marjan (290 rooms)

2010 - InterContinental Mina Al Arab (300 rooms)

2010 - Millennium Mina Al Arab

2010 - Rotana Mina Al Arab (400 rooms)

2010 - Hilton Mina Al Arab (400 rooms)

2010 - La Hoya Bay Marina Resort (500 rooms)

2010 - La Hoya Bay Beach Resort (250 rooms)

2011 - RAK Airways Hotel & Apartments, Al Marjan (1000 rooms)

2011 - RAK Financial City Hotel & Apartments (750 rooms)

2011 - Ibis Ras Al Khaimah (180 rooms)

2011 - Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Saraya Islands (180 rooms)

2011 - Banyan Tree Resort at Saraya Islands (150 suites)

2011 - The Luxury Collection resort at Saraya Islands (300 rooms)

2011 - Jebel Al Jais mountain resort (450 rooms)

2011 - Nikki Beach Resort & Spa at Saraya Islands (300 units)