RIYADH — Ras Al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will attend the Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) for the first time this year, saying the fair scheduled on April 23-26 reflects the Emirate's growing focus on Saudi Arabia as a key growth market. Ras Al-Khaimah, which aims to achieve global brand recognition, has extended an invitation to the public, particularly travelers, to join the fair and explore the Emirates as a high-quality worldwide destination. Ras Al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority was established in May 2011 as a government entity to develop and promote the Emirates' tourism facilities and potential as an affordable luxury tourist destination for both local and international tourists. “The Authority has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate's hospitality industry,” it said in a statement, adding that its goals include welcoming 1.2 million visitors in 2013, compared to 600,000 visitors in 2010. Because of the expected rising number of tourists this year, the Emirates will increase its “hotel-room inventory” to 10,000 rooms by year 2016 from 3,000 rooms in 2012. “Ras Al-Khaimah TDA is ideally placed to provide insights into future and current tourism projects and trends,” the Authority said. It will be joined on their stand at the Riyadh Travel Fair by the Waldorf Astoria Ras-Al Khaimah, which opens in 2013, the Bin Majid Hotels and Resorts, the Banyan Tree Al-Wadi & Banyan Tree Ras Al-Khaimah Beach as well as the RAI Airport. The opening of Waldort Asoria Ras-Al Khaimah this year, marks the entry of “this luxuryHilton Worldwide brand in the United Arab Emirates, the Authority said. Khalid Motik, director of Ras Al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, will attend the fair. He has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry in which he has worked in international hotel brands, including Hyatt Regency, Rotana Hotels, Suites & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide covering UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Kuwait. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority will occupy Stand Stand Number C102 at the Riyadh Travel Fair at the Four Seasons Hotel Kingdom Tower, Riyadh. — SG
