The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) held an event for the travel industry at Hotel Sky in Sandton on September 19, with the aim of attracting South African tourists to the fourth-largest Emirate.
Senior Manager of Destination Tourism Development, Marina Alekhicheva, told Travel News that RAKTDA only stepped into the South African market in June but the numbers were already increasing. “The numbers from South Africa are dynamically growing, as connectivity is quite good,” she said.
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is a 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, and it’s easy for travellers to book a taxi or bus. Some hotels also offer chauffeur services.
Most (98%) of RAK’s hotels are situated along the coastline and many offer all-inclusive packages. This is always a popular option for South African travellers who generally prefer to pay most of their holiday expenses upfront.
Alekhicheva said RAKTDA was presently targeting the South African market. “The South African market has been very responsive after the relaxation of COVID regulations and this has attracted us to the country. Everyone in South Africa wants to travel and we want to let them know that RAK is a great destination for them.”
RAKTDA has announced plans for a large luxury resort with a gaming area to be launched in 2026 by hotel and casino giant, Nevada-based Wynn Resorts. Media reports have described it as a multibillion-dollar deal that will see Wynn open a 1 000-room luxury hotel with 10 restaurants and lounges, a spa, a convention facility and shopping venues in addition to the gaming area. The project will be sited on Al Marjan, an offshore man-made island.
RAKTDA’s mission to attract more tourists has only just started. It is also exhibiting in Europe, South America, Korea and Egypt and is looking to attract three million tourists by 2030, after reaching 1,4m in 2019 pre-pandemic.
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