INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: World’s Fastest Growing Tourism Destination, Remaining Resilient to Fluctuating Oil Prices and Brexit Effects

Groundbreaking development projects & billions in foreign investments see the northernmost emirate of Ras Al Khaimah take lead as world’s fastest growing tourism destination, remaining resilient to fluctuating oil prices and Brexit effects.

Mr Mattar is on hand to discuss:

• The Emirate’s bold tourism strategy to withstand Brexit effects, which bears the risk of making holiday travel more expensive for Britons.

• Ras Al Khaimah’s expanding development projects in the tourism, hospitality and real estate sectors, which are taking in foreign investments at an estimated £361 billion, including multi-billion- dollar project Al Marjan Island—set for completion in 2025.

  For all media inquiries or to book an interview with Haitham Mattar, please contact:

  Phoebe Irving (phoebe@prmediaco.com)
  PR Account Manager for Ras Al Khaimah (UK office)

  ENDS

Notes to editors:

• -  Despite Brexit, Ras Al Khaimah has seen a 45% increase in tourism arrivals from Europe, led by strong growth from Germany and the UK. Compared to 2015, UK visitor arrivals have grown by 33.2% and the number of nights that Brits stay at Ras Al Khaimah’s hotels have increased by 25.6%.

• -  Such significant tourism growth runs parallel with Ras Al Khaimah’s expanding development projects and hotel portfolio. By 2025, hotel capacity in the emirate is expected to increase to 20,000 rooms, many of which will be on Al Marjan Island, a stunning archipelago encompassing an area of 2.7 million sq. m. and extending 4.5 km into the sea. Forthcoming internationally branded hotels in the process of development on the island include Anantara, the Crowne Plaza and the Marriott.

• -  Ras Al Khaimah has also gained recognition as a top investment hotspot in the UAE, taking in foreign investments at an estimated £361 billion from such markets as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India, China, Russia, Germany and the UK.

• -  The emirate will be launching new tourism attractions, including a five-star luxury mountain camp, a record breaking zip line and an exciting via ferrata climbing route along Jebel Jais, the UAE’s tallest peak.

  About Ras Al Khaimah

  One of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the world, Ras Al Khaimah boasts a rich culture and long-standing history, dating back 7,000 years, showcased by an array of archaeological sites and breathtaking natural vistas, from golden sand beaches, awe-inspiring terracotta dunes and a green belt of date palms to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE.

  To learn more about Ras Al Khaimah, visit:

  www.rasalkhaimahtourism.com www.facebook.com/visitrasalkhaimah www.youtube.com/visitrasalkhaimah https://twitter.com/raktourism

About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA)

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. In order to achieve target growth of one million visitors by the end of 2018, the authority aims to develop the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Ras Al Khaimah TDA has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.

About Haitham Mattar

Haitham Mattar, CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, was appointed by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Qasimi in April 2015 to drive the economic growth of Ras Al Khaimah by positioning the emirate as a world-class destination for business and leisure tourism.

For more information, visit http://www.haithammattar.com/.