The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is looking to attract more Indian tourists as its hospitality industry searches for new markets in an ambitious growth push.
Ras Al Khaimah presents itself as a more relaxed and affordable destination that offers "authentic" Arabian hospitality to visitors than its flashy neighbour Dubai.
The tourism department of Ras Al Khaimah has set a target of at least one million foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) by the end of 2018 and hopes Indian tourists will make up a significant portion of this.
In 2015, the emirate received 740,000 foreign tourists.
Haitham Mattar, chief executive officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, told BW Businessworld recently that this year's target for tourists from India is 40,000.
"Last year we experienced an 81 per cent growth in Indian tourists. It gives us an indication of the potential, so we must focus more on India," Mattar said.
The main focus is on upscale luxury segment, beach tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) travel.
Business tourism represents some 10 per cent of all visitors and remains a major source of income for hotels.
Ras Al Khaimah is working on many large-scale tourism and real estate projects to cater to its projected tourism growth.
It has about 5,000 hotel rooms and will add 3,600 more by the end of 2018, according to Mattar.
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