Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) welcomed a record 1.22 million overnight arrivals in 2023, up eight per cent on 2022 numbers and a 24 per cent increase in international visitors.
The robust performance is underscored by RAKTDA’s strategic growth plans – from investment in tourism infrastructure, targeted initiatives to drive more visitors to the emirate, to developing an ecosystem rooted in sustainability.
Some of Ras Al Khaimah’s key 2023 achievements include cementing its status as a business and social events hub with a 23 per cent growth in MICE revenue and 103 per cent increase in revenue from weddings; achieving a Silver Certification under EarthCheck’s world-leading Sustainable Destinations programme; numerous destination features in prominent channels; boosted international air connectivity with the introduction of direct flights with Qatar Airways, Indian carrier IndiGo’s, Smart Wings, Centrum Air and SmartLynx; and the launch of borderless travel with Oman Tourism Development Company for cross-destination tourism promotion and marketing initiatives.
The destination also saw the debut of Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort at the start of this year, as well as the reopening of Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah following an extensive refurbishment.
In addition, Ras Al Khaimah staged events such as the 2023 WMF Minifootball World Cup, DP World Tour, RAK Half Marathon, Arab Aviation Summit, Exotic Wedding Planning Conference and the Global Citizen Forum, and attracted over 65,000 visitors at its 2024 New Year’s Eve fireworks and drone display.
RAKTDA CEO Raki Phillips said: “Despite global challenges that have impacted our industry, we remained agile and resilient as a tourism community, working together to deliver a destination offering that would resonate with our visitors and residents alike. From investing in infrastructure and staging world-class events to making our Emirate sustainable and accessible to all, Ras Al Khaimah is firmly on the path for continued success in 2024 and beyond.”
