Blogs » Pipeline » Ras Al Khaimah unveils new hotel openings and brand identity

Ras Al Khaimah unveils new hotel openings and brand identity

• Posted by Hoteliersweb . May 18, 2021 - Filed in Pipeline - 898 views

  

  Ras Al Khaimah unveils new hotel openings and brand identity

  The Emirate will open 2,000 new keys this year

  Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RATKDA) unveiled its new offerings at Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The Northern Emirate aims to focus on sustainability, wellness and adventure. Over the next year the Emirate will expand its 6,700 keys, adding 2,000 more, including 100 on Jabal Bil Ays mountain.

  The emirate was named the Gulf Tourism Capital in 2020 and 2021 by GCC tourism ministers and is now working in partnership with RAK Hospitality Holding and RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry to create over 20 sustainable tourism developments.

  Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA  said: “Ras Al Khaimah was the best performing market in 2020 in the entire GCC from a RevPAR perspective and that allowed us to put an emphasis on investing. As a destination we are investing over half a billion dirhams into new tourism attractions, everything from Jebel Jais right down to the coast as well as on Marjan Island.”

   

  New mountain hotels include the eco-based Earth Hotels Altitude and 35 luxury lodges with Saij, A Mantis Collection Mountain Lodge. New beachside hotels include Hampton by Hilton Al Marjan Island 9the largest Hampton by Hilton globally); Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, the first entry of the brand into the Emirate; and InterContinental Mina Al Arab.

  RAK is promoting itself as a nature-based travel destination, as it is home to sprawling deserts, pristine ocean and mountain peaks – including the highest in the UAE, Jebel Jais. Phillips added: “We are blessed to be the only emirate that has the highest mountain in the UAE, desert topography as well as the ocean. We are building a place where you can experience all three in one place from a cultural and historical where you can build all of that sustainability.

  “What we are devising on the mountain isn’t a one size fits all. It’s going to attract lots of different demographics and give different experiences. From the hikers who just want something simple like a tent to luxury and everything in between.”

  Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding, said: “People are getting back to hiking and yoga, it’s not just about a room, it is about getting back to nature. This is what we see people are looking for these days.

   

  “We can’t forget what Ras Al Khaimah is known for and that’s our beach resorts. These are three new resorts opening different demographic to the Emirate and bringing different brands to the Emirates. We are keen on diversification and offering something different. We are seeing lots of new flight routes coming through and we want to make sure we have enough rooms to make sure they are all happy."

  Ras Al Khaimah is also preparing new experiences for visitors. Scallop Ranch at Al Hamra Marine will offer oyster and scallop diving alongside cooking experiences. Bear Grylls Explorers Camp has expanded with additional accommodation, bringing the total number of cabins to thirty. Flying Arch @ Manar Mall will be a 130-metre aerial structure composed of over 1.5 million knots and around 300 km of twine, and when the wind blows it will to create ever-changing shapes and colours.

  RATKDA also unveiled its new logo, which is inspired by the kashida from Arabic calligraphy – the line that connects letters to form a word. Just as Arabic calligraphy flows gracefully, RAKashida aims to flow and tell the story between different elements that make up the Emirate. Phillips added: “We put our own spin on it and called it RAKashida – it’s the connection of the mountain with the land and the desert to the ocean.”

   

   

  Source: hoteliermiddleeast.com