Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Travel Agents’ & Tour Operators’ Associations to boost European outbound tourism to the emirate.

The agreement was signed in Ras Al Khaimah by Haitham Mattar, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and Michel de Blust, secretary general of the ECTAA.

As per the agreement, ECTAA pledges to promote Ras Al Khaimah as its preferred destination among the 70,000 travel agents and tour operators across Europe, while showcasing the emirate’s 64 kilometres of beautiful beaches, historic forts, scenic mountains, terracotta deserts and some of the most diverse and enchanting landscapes in the region – all just 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

The programme involves two semi-annual meetings; the first which will be held in Poland during the first week of June and will see Haitham Mattar take the stage as one of the main speakers, while the second meeting will be hosted in Ras Al Khaimah in mid-December – enabling the European trade members to discover the destination while showcasing Ras Al Khaimah’s world class Meetings, Incentives and Conference Events offering.

Mattar said: “We have seen significant growth in European Markets during 2018, who contributed to double digit visitor number growth year on year. 

“As we look towards our goal of 1.5 million visitors by the end of 2021 and three million by 2025, it’s important that we maintain this momentum and as such we are keen on building strategic relationships with key players in the travel and tourism sector to allow us to showcase the unrivalled experiences Ras Al Khaimah has to offer.

“Our incredible experiences such as the world’s longest zip-line have helped put Ras Al Khaimah on the world map, but we need to continue to showcase the diversity of the destination to our core audiences in this part of the world.”

More Information

Ras Al Khaimah is recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Breaking Travel News last week caught up with Haitham Mattar, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, in the emirate to find out more about the latest news from the destination.

Find out what he had to say below: