RAK partners with L'tur Tourismus AG for tourism sector development

Announcing the launch of direct chartered flights from Europe to RAK, Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Finance Department, said that the new initiative was part of efforts to make RAK an international tourist destination. He said that RAK has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop its tourism sector which would witness the creation of world-class resorts and leisure facilities. The first direct chartered flight from Europe, an Air Berlin flight operated by L'tur, had arrived in RAK on February 10.

"Ras Al Khaimah is currently developing its unique attractions including the mountains and beaches to attract more tourists. At the same time we are taking care that our heritage is well preserved and remains intact while carrying out these initiatives," he said and added that Ras Al Khaimah would soon augment its shopping facilities by opening four new shopping malls."

The function held at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah was attended by a number of dignitaries including Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Civil Aviation, Sheikh Mohammed bin Kayed Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of RAK Economic Department and Jihad Quzmar, Legal Advisor to Government of Ras Al Khaimah and Board Member of Hilton.

Speaking on the occasion, Karlheinz Koegel, Owner and Chairman of L'tur Tourismus, said that the firm was delighted to partner with Ras Al Khaimah for the development of its tourism sector. He said that L'tur expects an increase of 35 percent in tourist arrivals from Europe to RAK this season, following the launch of direct chartered flights.

He said that L'tur offered connection flights for tourists from other German cities to Munich to facilitate their travel to RAK. "We are expecting to fly around 6500 new tourists to RAK through the weekly chartered flights," he said and added that the company would increase the frequency of flights in the future.

L'tur is one of the leading tour operators of Europe with an annual turnover of 372 million Euros and had handled more than 771,000 passengers in 2006.

Mohab Ghali, General Manager of Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, Stefan Dapper, Member of Board of L'tur, Samir Tabbah, Managing Partner of Desert Adventures Tourism LLC, and Iman Lattouf, Executive Vice President of RAK Promotion Board were present on the occasion.