RAK hotels achieve 93% occupancy in 2007

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism officials pegged the number of visitors to the emirate in 2007 at 500,000 and have unveiled an ambitious action plan to increase annual tourist numbers to 2.5 million by 2012.

Speaking at the Ras Al Khaimah Conference 2008, organised jointly by Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) and MEED, Hilary McCormack, Manager, RAK Tourism, said that the emirate plans to increase the number of hotel rooms by five fold, from the current 1400 rooms to 7500, by 2012.

"The year 2007 was a fantastic year for Ras Al Khaimah as we enjoyed 40 % growth in tourist numbers and the hotels recorded 93 % occupancy levels throughout the year. We are now looking to have at least 20 new hotels, supplying around 7500 rooms, ready by 2012 in line with our plans to attract 2.5 million visitors," she said.

Hilary said that international hotel chains are investing in the emirate in a big way with major projects by Hilton, Marriott Hotels, InterContinental, Rotana Hotels and Banyan Tree Resort currently underway, apart from the top- of- the- line Al Hamra Palace project.

The hotel projects would be mainly located in the new mega property developments like Al Marjan Island, which will have six hotels, and Mina Al Arab which will house nine hotels. Other projects like RAK Financial City, RAK Convention Centre, Gateway City and Al Dana Island would also be home to a number of new hotels.

RAK Tourism intends to develop an international communications programme to promote RAK as a destination offering unique and authentic experience, banking on the emirate's rich natural settings and varied cultural history.

"RAK has a variety of eco- systems including coastline, mountains, wetlands and unique red desert landscape. This coupled with the fascinating cultural history of livelihood developed through pearling, fishing, mountain agriculture and date cultivation provides a rich tourism product offering," Hilary added.

The immediate action plan for RAK Tourism would include restoration and preservation of all the heritage sites, setting up wildlife watching areas for visitors, implementing a coastal management programme and beautification project for RAK city areas. "We are working on providing improved access and services to tourists in areas like Dhayah Fort, Shamal, the old city souk and Al Jazeera Al Hamra, apart from taking full advantage of the eco- tourism possibilities available to us in the mountains, beach tourism and desert," she said.

Speaking at the conference, Ivor McBurney, Vice President Development- Middle East, Hilton Hotels said that Ras Al Khaimah has taken care to maintain a unique cultural identity with a clear `character and feel'.

"Ever since we opened in Ras Al Khaimah in 2001 the Year on Year average RevPAR % growth (Revenue Per Available Room) has been in double digits every year," he added.