Ras Al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority launches Vision for 2018 at World Travel Market

RAS AL-KHAIMAH, 5th November, 2015 (WAM) -- Today, Ras al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority announced its Vision for 2018 at the leading travel trade exhibition, World Travel Market, WTM. Participating in WTM from 2nd-5th November in London with an enhanced presence of industry partners, the authority launched its vision which lays out ambitious plans to attract one million visitors to Ras al-Khaimah by the end of 2018. The 2018 Vision provides a strategic roadmap for Ras al-Khaimah's tourism sector, encouraging growth and diversification across the accommodation portfolio, its tourism offerings for both business and leisure travellers, the events sector and supporting infrastructure as well as the investment into destination marketing campaigns. Other targets include increasing the average length of stay from 3.1 days to 3.6 days and encouraging repeat visits. Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said, "Ras al-Khaimah has already been recognised as the fastest growing emirate in terms of tourism. Under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, the emirate has seen impressive growth in visitor numbers across all of our top source markets, and we have laid out the Vision for 2018 to further build on this success." There are three key areas, destination offering, broaden the emirate’s offering and communicate this to our audiences across source markets with a focus on business/MICE, culture/heritage and events, diversifying source markets, maintaining visitor numbers in top markets while working towards increasing the number of visitors from countries that have been identified as having high growth potential, marketing and insights, amplify marketing efforts on the rebrand and improve insights into travel trends and the travel habits of visitors to Ras al-Khaimah. As one of Ras al-Khaimah's top source markets, the UK plays a significant role when it comes to the Vision for 2018. To nurture heightened interest in the destination among UK travellers, Ras al-Khaimah has set out targets to increase UK visitors from 26,000 in 2014 to 60,000 by the end of 2018. "The UK is a key market for us and one that we will continue to nurture for the future, as highlighted by our decision to launch our Vision here in London. The target increases are significant and to achieve these goals, the Ras al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority will continue to work closely with both the private and public sector in the emirate and abroad in key source markets around the world," said Haitham Mattar. The Ras al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority pavilion at World Travel Market will present a range of hotel brands, attractions and future projects to more than 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press at the London-based exhibition. Ras al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and partners will be available from 2nd-5th November at WTM on stand number ME450. . – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395287548373.html