India is expected to continue to grow as a key source market for Ras Al Khaimah, contributing significantly to its goal of achieving one million visitors by the end of 2018, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority revealed during its first visit to New Delhi.
Ras Al Khaimah is growing as a tourist destination, with India being one of the prime markets aiding this growth. India is currently the fourth largest inbound market for the emirate, after Germany, Russia and the UK. In 2016 and beyond, the emirate’s Tourism Development Authority will be placing an increasing focus on attracting Indian travellers through strategically planned content, relevant tourism products and services, focused marketing and communications efforts, events and tailored hotel products.
Ras Al Khaimah benefits from Indian inbound tourism mainly in the wedding sector and through short-stay tourists. Given this trend, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority aims to promote attractions and events to encourage Indian travellers to lengthen their stay in the destination.
Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, spearheads the plans of major developments, increasing visitor numbers and improving international awareness about the emirate.
Speaking at an event to bolster relationships with key travel trade partners, Mattar said, “India is one of our biggest inbound growth markets. We have seen an incredible 80 per cent year-on-year growth in tourists from India. There is great potential for growing these numbers even further and this is the single biggest factor which spurs the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority on to further promote the emirate in India.
“We are now enhancing our efforts to drive awareness across India through our dynamic marketing campaigns and relationships with key partners in the public and private sectors, also including airlines. Our goal is to continue this growth and diversify the type of visitors from India to include those seeking adventure, nature, heritage, sun and sand. Through these efforts, we expect India to continue to be a top inbound market and remain a strong contributor to the growth of the emirate’s tourism sector.”
Ras Al Khaimah is primarily a family destination which also offers business, MICE, leisure, adventure and luxury travel. It has a diverse offering, comprising luxury beach resorts and hotels which offer activities, events and entertainment suitable for families, couples, friends or singles. On one hand, it offers stunning scenery with the magnificent mountains and on the other it offers wide stretches of desert to enjoy a truly authentic Arabian experience.
