We are doubling our HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO...

Over the time, several initiatives are being taken to make Ras al Khaimah, one of the key tourism hot spot in UAE. Recently, at the Arab Aviation Summit, Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras AI Khaimah Tourism Development Authority in an exclusive interview with Vishal Kashyap, Managing Editor, Aviation World highlighted in length about the roadmap for future enhancement of tourism in the beautiful emirate. Excerpts...

Q: Congratulations on the significant increase in tourist arrival in Ras AI Khaimah. What are the key factors that is enabling such growth?

A: Our annual visitor numbers have seen consistent growth in recent years with 2023 being another record year in overnight arrivals. The emirate welcomed 1.22 million visitors, representing an 8% increase on 2022, which was supported by 24% increase in the number of international visitors. This growth can be attributed to several factors, from strategic investments in the tourism infrastructure to the implementation of targeted initiatives and our ability to swiftly adapt to global challenges and shifts in travel trends. Our approach is multifaceted and includes growing and diversifying our hotel supply by attracting leading hospitality brands to the emirate, staging blockbuster events and enhancing global connectivity through strategic partnerships like our partnership with Qatar Airways which commenced its daily service to Ras AI Khaimah International Airport, connecting the emirate to a network of over 160 destinations globally via the airline's Doha hub. With India, a major tourism source market for Ras AI Khaimah, particularly for leisure, incentives and weddings, IndiGo's introduction of a direct service from Hyderabad, adding to its direct Mumbai flight, has helped accelerate arrivals growth too.