PHOTO
The emirate hosted 630 German travel trade experts during the three day DRV event
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), which develops and regulates the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and initiates its domestic and overseas promotions hosted the 67th Annual Convention of the German Travel Association (DRV) from 7-9 December, 2017.
The three-day convention, which took place at Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah, welcomed 630 German travel trade professionals representing a consumer base of around six-to-eight million German travellers.
Speaking at a press conference which was held at Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, Haitham Mattar, CEO of RAKTDA, highlighted the importance of hosting the event in Ras Al Khaimah and RAKTDA’s efforts in showcasing the destination to the emirate’s core and emerging markets.
“We are now receiving more guests than ever; they are staying longer and are spending more - leaving the destination within striking distance of its 900,000 target for this year. Thanks to the clear vision and direction of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, RAKTDA has adopted a strategic approach to the promotion and development of Ras Al Khaimah as an all-round tourist destination. We are building on that progress by hosting the 67th DRV Annual Convention with hundreds of delegates from the German travel industry which also underlines the importance of the German market for our emirate. By hosting this important congress, Ras Al Khaimah puts itself forward as a leading option for MICE events,” Mattar noted.
“Germany is our largest international source market, followed by Russia, UK and India. We registered a 12 per cent growth in overall international visitors in the first 10 months of 2017, and the length of stay is also increasing – indicating a growing family holiday segment while also proving that there is a lot more to discover in Ras Al Khaimah beyond the stunning beaches and hotels.”
CEOs and senior executives from tour operators, travel agencies and service providers of all sizes, as well as representatives from airlines, cruise lines and insurance companies attended RAKTDA-organised tours, destination workshops and evening events highlighting the emirate’s latest tourism developments, future plans and unique attractions.
A discussion panel that took place in Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah during the opening ceremony of DRV focused on Ras Al Khaimah as an emerging tourism destination the upcoming projects in the emirate. The panel was moderated by Dr. Carl Naughton and led by key executives from the travel and airline industries including; Volker Greiner, Vice President North & Central Europe, Emirates, Haitham Mattar, CEO of RAKTDA, Ralph Schiller, Group Managing Director FTI GROUP, Thomas Bosl Managing Director RTK and Stefanie Berk Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe at Thomas Cook.
"The delegates and myself were impressed by the assets Ras Al Khaimah has to offer to its visitors - the great beaches, the mountains and the desert as well as the excellent hotels. We also experienced some genuine Arab hospitality at all the events and travelling around. Thanks for a flawless organisation to all the partners involved, I am convinced that the DRV Annual Conference will contribute to a further growth in visitor numbers from the German market," said Norbert Fiebig, President of DRV.
Ras Al Khaimah offers authentic nature based adventure activities, accessible Arabian culture and heritage, and a wealth of high quality world class hotel and resort concepts. Coming online this December are new flagship tourism products such as the world’s longest zip line and the Viewing Deck Park that will help in further lifting the local, regional and international profile of the destination
RAKTDA is looking to reach one million tourist arrivals by the end of 2018 and is gearing up for a raft of new hotel and resort openings planned to meet increasing demand. An additional 4,445 hotel and resort rooms are expected to come on line in the emirate over the next three years, ranging from 3 to 5-star properties.
The convention attracted a line-up of sponsors and partners including: DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island; Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa; Hilton Al Hamra Beach & Golf Resort; The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert; Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah; Marjan Island Resort & Spa (as partners); and Emirates Airline; Desert Gate; Holiday Moments; Travco; and Meeting Point (as sponsors).
-Ends-
About Ras Al Khaimah
One of the world’s fastest growing tourism destinations, Ras Al Khaimah boasts a rich culture and long-standing history dating back 7,000 years. The Emirate boasts an array of archaeological sites and breath-taking natural vistas, from golden sand beaches, awe-inspiring terracotta dunes and a green belt of date palms to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE.
About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. In order to achieve target growth of one million visitors by the end of 2018, the authority aims to develop the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the RAKTDA has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.
To learn more about Ras Al Khaimah, visit us at:
www.raktda.com and www.rasalkhaimah.ae
www.facebook.com/visitrasalkhaimah
www.youtube.com/visitrasalkhaimah
https://twitter.com/raktourism
For further information, please contact:
The MCS Action PR team
+971 (4) 390 2960, RAKTDA@actionprgroup.com
Neda Carrillo, Director of Corporate Communications & Public Relations, RAKTDA
mediarelations@raktda.com
