RAK Tourism has announced over two dozen five star hotels and several premium hotel and hotel apartment operators poised to start operations in Ras Al Khaimah within the next five years, as the emirate continues to enjoy its unprecedented tourism boom. The new hotels are expected to more than double the current supply of hotel rooms in Ras Al Khaimah, helping accommodate the projected 2.5 million tourists in the emirate by 2012.
From a current capacity of over 1,800 hotel rooms, the influx of new hotel developments – including at least 20 internationally renowned 5- star hotels – will deliver up to 3,700 new rooms by 2012.
“Hotel development has jumped to a new level in Ras Al Khaimah as tourism activities continue to attract domestic, regional and international tourists to the emirate. It is also part of our strategy to keep watch for unique and innovative hotel operators in a bid to diversify our portfolio of hotels in the emirate,” said Dr Khater Massaad, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA).
A key indicator of Ras Al Khaimah’s promising tourism business climate is the exceptionally high occupancy rates with most of the major hotels exceeding 85 per cent. While the emirate is consolidating its reputation as a premier business tourism destination, particularly MICE (meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions) activities, leisure visitors continue to make up the majority of Ras Al Khaimah’s hotel guests, further indicating the growing strength of the emirate to attract holiday tourists through its eclectic natural attractions, which include the imposing Al Hajjar Mountains, over 64 kilometres of pristine beaches and mystical desert plains all in proximity to each other.