RAK tourism chiefs hoping for record-breaking year

Ras al Khaimah (RAK) is quickly establishing itself as one of the most luxurious holiday hotspots in the Middle East and tourism officials are hoping that 2013 will be a record-breaking year for visitor numbers.For many years, the northern emirate has been in the shadow of nearby Dubai, but people are finally realising that RAK is an equally beautiful - and much quieter - place to take a vacation.The RAK Tourism Development Authority (TDA) has been working hard to promote the region as a luxury adventure holiday destination and it has recently called upon the services of the Four Communications Group in order to raise the emirate's profile even further.Victor Louis, chief operating officer at RAK TDA, is hopeful that 1.2 million visitors will visit this part of the world in 2013 and he feels that recent awareness raising campaigns - particularly in Germany and Russia - have been a success."RAK's rich tourism offering, from outdoor pursuits to gourmet restaurants and luxury spas to heritage sites, makes it the perfect location for local tourists looking for a short weekend break or longer getaway," he remarked.Mr Louis also outlined a target of having 10,000 hotel and resort rooms available by the end of this year.With more people choosing to take a break in this previously unexplored section of the UAE, it is no surprise that hotels, apartments and villas are springing up all over the place.Like Dubai, RAK wants to attract wealthy travellers and so the standard of new buildings is very high indeed.Bosses at Bin Majid Hotels recently confirmed the company was opening a brand new resort on Marjan Island, which is the first man-made island project in RAK.General manager of the firm Dr Ali Kasapbashi is very excited to bring the 265-room Santorini Hotel to the northern emirate and he said the complex should be in a position to receive holidaymakers by the end of 2013.