Hotels in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah have seen a 10% rise in international guest arrivals year-on-year, the tourism authority says.
Occupancy rates went up 4.7% to 72.7%, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announced this week.
The emirate, which is targeting 900,000 visitor arrivals in 2017 with competition from neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi, also reported a 17.7% rise in guest nights in the first half of the year, with the average length of stay increasing from 3.5 days in 2016 to 3.9 days. Room revenue rose by 13.3%.
Year-on-year figures for June show a 27% increase in guest arrivals and hotels recorded a 37.6% year-on-year increase in the holy month of Ramadan against 2016.
There have so far been 390,499 arrivals between January and June, up 6.5% on the same period last year.
Haitham Mattar, CEO of RAKTDA, said: “While our excellent half year results highlight continued year-on-year growth in Ras Al Khaimah’s visitor numbers, it is the Ramadan and June results that are particularly promising.
“Our best-ever figures during these typically lower periods of occupancy are a direct result of strategic initiatives and promotional activities undertaken in domestic and international source markets – we are thrilled to see those efforts to boost summer numbers bearing immediate fruit.”
RAKTDA launched its ‘Feel Free this Summer’ campaign in April, aimed at the UAE market and key international source markets. It runs until the end of September.
Mattar added: “In addition to offering fantastic value for money, we have focused on promoting our amazing landscapes, including 64 kilometres of pristine beaches; terracotta desert; abundant wildlife, nature, mountains that are 10 degrees cooler and uninterrupted sunsets; as well as the amazing hotel facilities, spas, kids’ clubs, chilled pools and diverse culinary options.”