Chinese tourists have promised big spending power and Ras Al Khaimah has made a big push to attract them. Chinese tourists have promised big spending power and Ras Al Khaimah has made a big push to attract them.

Ras Al Khaimah is on a bid to attract a wide range of international travellers as RAK TDA CEO Haitham Mattar visited Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to raise awareness of the destination in the Chinese market.

Last year, Dubai Tourism led a similar movement under its CEO Issam Kazim in a bid to boost Chinese tourists to the emirate.

Mattar met more than 20 top travel agents across China in his five-day visit, as well as two tour operators, to promote Ras Al Khaimah offerings.

China sits in Ras Al Khaimah’s list of top 20 inbound global markets and accounts for one of the top visitor markets from Asia. Total arrivals from Chinese tourists increased to the tune of 82% compared to 2014.

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Ras Al Khaimah reported a strong start to 2016, having recorded a 23.7% increase in visitor numbers across properties in the emirate in 2016.

His visit also resulted in the forging of strategic partnerships between RAK TDA and key travel industry professionals in China, which will help to drive tourism to the Northern most emirate.

“China is a valuable source market with an 82% increase in visitor numbers in 2015 compared to previous years and continued potential for growth,” said Mattar.

He added: “This is testament to our unique offerings that are appealing to Chinese travellers. I look forward to future visits and pursuing every opportunity to strengthen our alliances and strategic partnerships with some of China’s biggest names in the travel trade industry.”