Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has registered a 12.4 per cent increase in total revenue last year compared to 2014, with industry indicators highlighting a positive performance for the year.

 

The emirate recorded a rise in total tourism revenues, driven by a six per cent increase in visitor numbers year-on-year to reach more than 740,000 last year, according to recently released figures.

 

Recognised as one of the most rapidly developing tourism sectors in the UAE, reports demonstrated positive performance across key indicators including room revenues, food and beverage (F&B) revenues, RevPAR and occupancy rates – with the UK and India emerging as the fastest growing source markets as visitor numbers increase by 24.7 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively.

 

The authority has led the emirate’s tourism proposition to a more diversified international audience, while mapping out the destination’s strategic growth plans to achieve one million visitors by the end of 2018, said a statement.

 

Haitham Mattar, chief executive officer, said: “These results demonstrate steady growth over the past four years, and place Ras Al Khaimah firmly on track to achieving our vision of one million visitors by the end of 2018. 

 

"In 2016, we will further enhance our efforts to steadily diversify our visitor demographic, and focus heavily on showcasing Ras Al Khaimah’s global appeal through strategic partnerships with leading industry stakeholders and targeted in-market promotional activity.”

 

Meanwhile, the UAE inbound market has shown signs of continued sustained growth year-on-year, with domestic tourism accounting for 47.7 per cent of total visitor numbers to Ras Al Khaimah. 

 

“As the emirate continues its expansion plans to meet ambitious growth targets, we are broadening our rich offering through developing retail, dining, cruise, entertainment, and MICE facilities, to further build Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a leading destination for business and leisure travel,” concluded Mattar. - TradeArabia News Service