Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) has announced that global interest in the business and tourism potential of Ras Al Khaimah has further intensified with the increasing number of European visitors arriving in the emirate. RAKIA revealed that a charter flight from Copenhagen arrived on (Friday, October 9, 2009) in Ras Al Khaimah to mark the opening of regular charter services offered by Atlantis Rejser, a leading independent Danish tour operator.

RAKIA revealed that H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has implemented key infrastructure development projects to enhance the airport facilities and several tourist amenities, which have helped make the emirate a highly attractive destination for international tourists. His Highness has also collaborated with Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Civil Aviation Department, in initiating programs to boost the service level of the emirate’s airport as well as the sea ports and other access points to the emirate.

Hilary McCormack, Manager, RAK Tourism said, “This is an important achievement in our mission to reach out to high-potential niche markets in Europe. The new charter flights open a new avenue for European travellers to enjoy Ras Al Khaimah’s world-class hospitality and experience the emirate’s unique culture. We intend to build on this important milestone to further strengthen Ras Al Khaimah’s growing status as an international business and tourist destination.”

The agreement to open new charter flights between Copenhagen and Ras Al Khaimah was sealed during RAKIA’s participation at the ITB 09 exhibition in Berlin wherein Dr. Khater Massaad, CEO of RAKIA, explored various tourism and hospitality business prospects with leading industry players from Europe.

“Ras Al Khaimah is attracting several of the leading tourism firms in Europe that are looking to explore more interesting destinations for European tourists. The recent groundbreaking achievements of the emirate, including the widely publicised successful bid to host the America’s Cup 2010, have definitely contributed in making Ras Al Khaimah a major tourist hotspot and a new target for investors and business organisations worldwide,” added McCormack.

RAKIA also revealed that the new charter flight has been realised in conjunction with the Hamra Hotels & Resorts Sales Team, which has been targeting and campaigning in niche markets with high-revenue potential. The Hamra Hotels & Resorts Sales Team has been collaborating with RAK’s major ports facilities to offer value-added services to tourists arriving in the emirate as part of an ongoing thrust to attract more tourists into Ras Al Khaimah.

Atlantis Rejser has been a leading player in the MENA tourism industry as it is responsible for bringing the largest volume of visitors from the Scandinavian market to Egypt. The company, which boasts of an 80 per cent retention of repeat clients, has revealed that Ras Al Khaimah will play a key role in its expansion program as the emirate offers an authentic cultural experience and provides a variety of world-class tourist facilities.

Ras Al Khaimah will be hosting the prestigious 33rd America's Cup sailing competition in February of 2010, marking the first time that the race will be held in the Middle East. The competition will be held in Al Hamra Village, where a 22-hectare island within Al Hamra Village lagoon will serve as the base for the sailing event. The island will accommodate the team bases and facilities for the media, the sponsors and the viewing public.