03 Oct 2016
United Kingdom – 7 September 2016: The efforts of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA) to promote the UAE's northernmost emirate as a premier tourism destination continues in London, as it participates in the World Travel Market (WTM) from 7–9 November 2016.
Haitham Mattar, CEO of RAK TDA, will be available in London for one-on-one interviews throughout the event.
RAK TDA's participation in this year's WTM promises to bring a wealth of exciting news, updates and announcements on the destination's latest tourism products and offerings, including an upcoming via ferrata climbing route along Jebel Jais, the UAE's tallest peak, which stands 1,934 metres high.
The event also provides an excellent platform for RAK TDA to flex the destination's global appeal and boost international tourism arrivals as it aims to attract one million visitors by the end of 2018. This year, Ras Al Khaimah has already recorded a 45% increase in tourism arrivals from Europe, led by strong growth from Germany and the UK. In fact, UK visitor arrivals have grown by 33.2% over 2015 and the number of nights that Brits stay at Ras Al Khaimah's hotels have increased by 25.6%.
With diverse natural landscapes, a wide range of thrilling outdoor activities, an ever-expanding calendar of sporting, leisure, cultural and business events and a convenient location just 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah continues to grow from strength to strength. The destination currently offers over 5,000 rooms across 41 properties, with more than 3,000 rooms in the pipeline across 12 properties by 2018. By 2025, hotel capacity in the emirate is expected to increase to 20,000 rooms, many of which will be on Al Marjan Island, a stunning archipelago encompassing an area of 2.7 million square metres and extending 4.5 km into the sea.
“As the leading global event for the travel industry, WTM is the ideal opportunity for us to share and showcase all that Ras Al Khaimah has to offer, from our gorgeous natural assets, luxurious indulgence and many activities for a wide range of travellers to our authentic Arabian history, heritage and culture”, said Mr Mattar. “I look forward to visiting London in November to promote our emirate to a worldwide audience.”
For all media inquiries or to book an interview with Haitham Mattar, please contact:
Phoebe Irving (phoebe@prmediaco.com)
PR Account Manager for Ras Al Khaimah (UK office)
Neda Carrillo (mediarelations@raktda.com)
Director of Corporate Communications & Public Relations
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Notes to Editors:
About Ras Al Khaimah
One of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the world, Ras Al Khaimah boasts a rich culture and long-standing history, dating back 7,000 years, showcased by an array of archaeological sites and breathtaking natural vistas, from golden sand beaches, awe-inspiring terracotta dunes and a green belt of date palms to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE.
To learn more about Ras Al Khaimah, visit:
www.facebook.com/visitrasalkhaimah
www.youtube.com/visitrasalkhaimah
https://twitter.com/raktourism
About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA)
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was established in
May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. In order to achieve target growth of one million visitors by the end of 2018, the authority aims to develop the emirate's tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Ras Al Khaimah TDA has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the emirate's tourism and hospitality industry.
About Haitham Mattar
Haitham Mattar, CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, was appointed in April 2015 to drive the economic growth of Ras Al Khaimah by positioning the emirate as a world-class destination for business and leisure tourism.
For more information, visit http://www.haithammattar.com/.
