To counter the catastrophic declines faced by tourism destinations worldwide, since the COVID-19 outbreak, Ras Al Khaimah has been bidding on ramping up its current aviation network and services to bring more international visitors to the northern emirate.

After recent deals signed with Khazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines, Russia’s Rossiya and Ukraine International Airline to bring direct flights to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said the emirate was hoping to bring flights from Western European destinations.

Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market at Dubai’s World Trade Center, he said: “For us, getting those flights landing in RAK has been a big focus for us. We have plans for the Germany, we have plans for the UK, we have plans for Slovenia and Scandinavia. We are ready to push the button as soon as the markets open up.”

RAK has also revealed a 500 million dirhams ($136 million) tourism investment plan to attract tourists and lovers of the great outdoors.

Phillips earlier told Zawya about a surge in domestic tourism to RAK during 2020, as residents chose the emirate as a holiday destination during travel restrictions imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19, adding that tourism accounts for 12 percent of the UAE’s GDP. 

“The domestic market is there and it’s grown and we feel we have a very solid base. The UAE cannot survive without international business, simply because we’re a great destination to visit internationally,” he said. 

“We offer a compelling, safe experience that creates wonderful memories. So, as a tourist entity and as a very touristic country, international tourism is vital for the success of the destination,” he added.

(Reporting by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Seban Scaria)

(imogen.lillywhite@refinitiv.com)

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