Ras Al Khaimah Target GCC markets with Corporate Roadshow in Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait

Dubai, UAE- October 28, 2015

On October 19-21, Senior representatives from Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Air Arabia led a two-day intensive campaign to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to promote direct routes to Ras Al Khaimah Airport and increase awareness of the destination.

Led by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, the roadshow involved a series of destination workshops, press conferences, meetings and engagement dinners with prominent figures in the Saudi Arabia and Kuwait travel trade and tourism industry.

Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: "With flights from Cairo, Doha, Jeddah and Muscat connecting daily through Sharjah and direct to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Air Arabia was a natural partner for this roadshow as we begin to nurture growing numbers of visitors from the GCC markets. 

"We are looking to achieve one million visitors by the end of 2018 and we believe travellers from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will comprise a significant proportion of this total, particularly when supported by direct Air Arabia flights." 

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has witnessed a 14 per cent rise in visitor numbers from the GCC year-to-date compared to the same period in 2014. This exclusive roadshow is the first step of an extensive marketing programme to the Kingdom and Kuwait, with the aim of raising awareness of the destination within the GCC through the authority's partnership with Air Arabia and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.

Moosa Abdullah, Air Arabia General Manager in Saudi Arabia  said:  Air Arabia said: "Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are enormously important markets for Air Arabia and with more than 140 weekly non-stop services operating to both. We believe there is a real opportunity to drive demand for leisure and business travel between the GCC and Ras Al Khaimah as we look to add more direct routes and frequencies in the near future."

Air Arabia opened its hub at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in April 2014, with Jeddah, Riyadh and Kuwait among the launch routes.

In addition to a press conference and dinner with the media and trade, members of the Authority and Air Arabia team met with senior representatives of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Kuwait Travel & Tourism Agencies Association. The delegation outlined plans for investment in the emirate's tourism proposition and economic diversification strategy by extending connectivity throughout the GCC.

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About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA)
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. In order to achieve target growth of 1 million visitors by 2018, the authority aims to develop the emirate's tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a leading destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Ras Al Khaimah's Tourism Development Authority has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the emirate's tourism and hospitality industry. The Authority promotes the tourism sector through a variety of activities including: research and analysis of future tourism projects and current trends; representation of Ras Al Khaimah TDA at overseas travel shows and introductory workshops and speaking engagements to the international travel trade industry.

About Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is just a 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and is the perfect getaway for business, leisure, adventure, and luxury travel. Visitors to Ras Al Khaimah will enjoy idyllic sojourns on terracotta deserts, white sand beaches and resorts, adventure activities including water sports, micro-lighting, mountain climbing, kayaking, as well as an eclectic selection of international gourmet experiences and world-class spas

To learn more about Ras Al Khaimah visit us at:
www.rasalkahimahtourism.com
www.facebook.com/visitrasalkhaimah
www.youtube.com/visitrasalkhaimah
https://twitter.com/raktourism

About Air Arabia:
Air Arabia (PJSC), listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is the Middle East and North Africa is leading low-cost carrier (LCC). Air Arabia commenced operations in October 2003 and currently operates a total fleet of 41 new Airbus A320 aircraft, serving some 115 routes from five hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan. Air Arabia is an award-winning airline that focuses on offering comfort, reliability and value-for-money air travel. For further information, please visit: www.airarabia.com

Learn more about Ras Al Khaimah and its activities and visit us

www.rasalkahimahtourism.com
www.facebook.com/visitrasalkhaimah
www.youtube.com/visitrasalkhaimah
https://twitter.com/raktourism

© Press Release 2015