RAS AL KHAIMAH -- Due to its unique location, natural beauty and picturesque scenes, besides the great efforts of its government, the RAK tourism sector has witnessed a great leap.
RAK is the only one of the seven emirates that combines three different geographical features -- the sea, mountains and the desert.
The contribution of the tourism sector to the RAK Gross National Product (GNP) has registered 1.9 per cent in 2003, said a report issued recently by the RAK Economic Department (RED).
According to the report, the number of the national visitors has also doubled from 12,852 in the year 2001 to 32,753 in the year 2003. The number of European tourists has witnessed fourfold swell, from 10,676 in the year 2001 to 59,215 in the year 2002. The number of holidaymakers who headed to Saqr Public Park has also slightly increased, from 320,000 in the year 1999 to 330,400 in the year 2003.
Due to this increase, the report said, national and foreign investors have pumped more funds in this booming sector to increase the number of hotels from only three in the year 1999 to six in 2003. RAK has 16 towers, six forts and 18 castles that allure tourists from all over the world, it added.
The RAK National Museum has registered a number of 6,394 in 2003, it said, adding that the museum was established in a fort built in 1736 and used as residence for the ruling family till 1964, after having undergone a large-scale process of overhaul by His Highness Shaikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of RAK.
According to the RED report, the emirate has numerous tourist attractions like Aim Khat Spa and Health Resort that have a number of natural mineral springs. This is in addition to number of sports and cultural facilities like the RAK National Theatre, Emirates Centre for Diving and Marine Sports, RAK Shooting Club and the Al Jazeerah Aviation Club. It also has a number of cultural and folkloric troupes that organise traditional shows for the tourists. The emirate is also linked with the other parts of the country through an advanced network of roads and has a modern airport. This is besides the authentic Arabic culture of hospitality and conviviality of its people, the report concluded.By Sadiq A. Salam
© Khaleej Times 2004
