• The Bear Grylls Survival Academy will offer a variety of courses and events on Jebel Jais, operated by its highly trained experts

Jeddah, KSA: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) entered into an agreement with Bear Grylls Survival Academy (BGSA) to establish and operate Ras Al Khaimah’s own Bear Grylls Survival Academy on Jebel Jais, as part of its ongoing drive to attract more adventure seekers from around the world. Haitham Mattar, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority announced the latest addition to the Emirate’s varied portfolio of adventure tourism products at Arabian Travel Market today.

A brainchild of Bear Grylls, the most recognised face of survival and outdoor adventure, the Bear Grylls Survival Academy offers thrill seekers an opportunity to learn his extreme survival techniques at 20 locations around the world. The partnership with Bear Grylls Survival Academy is a testimony of Ras Al Khaimah’s ongoing efforts to expand and develop its adventure tourism offering in what is fast becoming known as the region’s adventure tourism hub. 

The Bear Grylls Survival Academy on Jebel Jais, which is scheduled to open in Q1 2020, will offer participants a wide selection of courses suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. The courses include half-day (5 to 6 hours), 24 and 48-hour courses designed for families and adults; team building activities for corporates; and instructor courses for outdoor enthusiasts, where participants will be exposed to practical and extreme survival techniques necessary to survive some of the toughest terrain in the wilderness.

The courses will comprise of a combination of survival and adventure tasks that will conclude in a wilderness expedition designed to put the participants’ new-found skills to the ultimate test. Techniques include how to make a fire in the wilderness, build emergency shelters, learn best ways to use a knife for survival, remote medical trauma, training on navigation techniques, rock climbing and extreme weather survival. The Academy will be run by highly trained professionals trained by Bear Grylls Survival Academy. 

Haitham Mattar, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said: “We are pleased to announce our partnership with the Bear Grylls Survival Academy on the upcoming academy on Jebel Jais. This partnership to establish our upcoming adventure product recognises a sector of our tourism proposition that is fundamental to the growth of Ras Al Khaimah as a global destination. With the increasing number of visitors, we’re witnessing year on year, we believe that the introduction of new adventure attractions is essential to maintain Ras Al Khaimah’s strong position on the world tourism map.”

Paul Gardiner, Managing Director of Bear Grylls Survival Academy said: “As the UAE’s highest mountain with its breathtaking views and adrenaline-packed activities, Jebel Jais is the perfect choice of destination to expand our presence in the region. Attracting thrill seekers from around the world, Jebel Jais is truly the nature adventure hub of the Middle East. We look forward to welcoming Ras Al Khaimah’s visitors at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy for a new memorable and thrilling experience.”

The Emirate already presents an extensive selection of adrenaline-fuelled activities from hiking, trekking and cycling to rock climbing, mountain biking and kayaking. Over the last few years, Ras Al Khaimah has significantly expanded its adventure tourism offering - positioning itself as the nature adventure hub of the Middle East while complementing the offering of the neighbouring Emirates.  The notable adventure tourism attractions include the Arabian Gulf’s first commercial Jebel Jais Via Ferrata (iron path) which features hiking, climbing and zipline challenges and the Jebel Jais Flight: The World’s Longest Zipline that attracted over 29,000 thrill seekers from around the world in under a year.

In recent years, Ras Al Khaimah has shown a strong potential to become a sustainable and competitive tourism destination in the region. As defined in its Destination Strategy 2019-2021, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority will continue to prioritise sustainable nature-based adventure experiences with ambitious goal to secure 1.5 million visitors by 2021 and 3 million visitors by 2025.

-Ends- 

About Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its rich history, dating back 7,000 years, and diverse landscape, from 64km of pristine beaches, to terracotta deserts and an imposing mountain backdrop. The Emirate is home to the highest peak in the UAE, Jebel Jais, which features the world’s longest zip line, at almost 3km.

RAK is also centrally located at the modern crossroad between Europe and Asia, with one third of the world’s population within four hour’s flying time, making it an ideal location for businesses to expand into the UAE, the Middle East and Africa and beyond. 

At the Emirate's economic heart lies several major companies and sectors - industrial (including RAK Rock and Stevin Rock’s quarries, RAK Ceramics and Julphar Pharmaceuticals); RAK Ports; RAK Economic Zone; banking via RAKBANK; RAK Gas and tourism. Supporting these industries is a modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art industrial areas and business parks and world-class hotels, facilities and attractions for tourists. 

For the past decade, Ras Al Khaimah has been consistently rated ‘A’ by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s rating agencies and already the Emirate is home to more than 15,000 businesses from 100 countries representing over 50 industries. RAK Courts is also the second-fastest court in the world at enforcing contracts in commercial disputes.

To learn more about Ras Al Khaimah, visit us at:

#VisitRasAlKhaimah

About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA)

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. In order to attract 1.5 million visitors by 2021, and 3 million visitors by 2025, the Ras Al Khaimah TDA 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 Ras Al Khaimah TDA has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry. 

About Bear Grylls Survival Academy:

Regarded as the most challenging and empowering survival course on the planet, the Bear Grylls Survival Academy (BGSA) is designed to provide enthusiasts from around the world the opportunity to learn Bear’s extreme survival techniques. The current portfolio of courses are tailored to both adults and young explorers, in diverse locations including the mountains and forests of the UK, the mountains and challenging landscapes of USA’s New York State and ten unique locations across China. 

For further information, please contact:
Asda’a Burson Cohn & Wolfe
+971 (4) 4507600
rak@bcw-global.com 

Neda Carrillo
Director of Corporate Communications & Public Relations, RAKTDA
neda@raktda.com 
+971 (0)7 233 8998

© Press Release 2019

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