Ras Al Khaimah visitor numbers return...

H1 shows visitor arrivals in line with pre-pandemic figures

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has recorded its highest visitor numbers since the onset of Covid-19, with the emirate reporting visitor arrivals in line with pre-pandemic footfall during the first six months of 2022.

The emirate’s H1 performance saw it welcome more than 521,085 international and domestic visitors between January and June 2022, representing a total increase of 21% compared to H1 2021 – a return to pre-pandemic figures from the same period in June 2019.

The emirate’s performance in 2022 was bolstered by the opening of several new hotels and resorts. Ras Al Khaimah now boasts more than 8,000 keys, with 4,617 new keys in the pipeline over the next few years.

Ras Al Khaimah has quickly become one of the most sought-after sustainable destinations in the Middle East and is known for its adventure offerings, unique topography and geodiversity.

In recognition of the emirate’s natural surroundings, the RAKTDA has continued its development of sustainable new attractions to draw visitors both locally and internationally.

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Commenting on the findings, RAKTDA CEO Raki Phillips said: “Ras Al Khaimah is one of the first destinations in the region to recover to pre-Covid levels thanks to the agility of our tourism community during the pandemic.

"Our investment strategy, which focuses on exactly that, has been central to our fast rebound. We are on track to reach more than 1.11 million arrivals by the end of the year and to fully return to pre-pandemic levels in just two years.”

The latest tourist attraction to open in Ras Al Khaimah was the Jais Sledder, the region’s longest toboggan ride, spanning 1,840 metres of hairpin curves and reaching speeds of up to 40km per hour. Jais Sledder has welcomed over 54,000 visitors since opening in February.

For more information, visit www.visitrasalkhaimah.com