A 200-year-old pearl diving village and the longest zip line in the world will be among attractions marketed by tourism officials to help reposition Ras Al Khaimah as more than just a sun and sand destination, boosting visitor numbers and the revenue they bring to the northern emirate.
Ras Al Khaimah expects to draw 100,000 new visitors this year, including adventure tourists and history buffs, according to its Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA).
It is basing this year’s forecast of 840,000 visitors on demand from the new source markets of India, China, Poland, Finland and Kazakhstan. It has targeted 1 million visitors by 2018.
A 1,500-person capacity exhibition centre on Al Marjan Island is due to open next month and will help corporate travel, currently at 5 per cent of overall tourism, grow by 10 per cent.
An adventure park is due to open next month on Jabal Jais including a via ferrata, or a protected climbing path along the rock face, and a zip line.
“We will bring the longest zip line in the world,” said Haitham Mattar, the chief executive of RAK TDA.
“We are also working with airlines in our key source markets such as Russia, Germany and the UK.”
RAK TDA opened an office in Russia this month, and in India last month. It plans to open in Riyadh next month and in China in June.
During the first two months of the year, it received 16,000 tourists from Germany, 5,500 from the UK, 4,800 from India and 4,000 from Russia.
The authority also plans to open a five-star camp on Jabal Al Jais, pending an agreement.
Other attractions would include a viewing deck overlooking the port, and a restored version of the pearl diving village Al Jazeera Al Hamra.
Affordability compared to Dubai is among Ras Al Khaimah’s key attractions. Last month, the average nightly hotel room rate was Dh605compared to Dh833.78 in Dubai, according to the research company STR.
Average occupancy in RAK was around 71 per cent last month, up 17.4 per cent year-on-year. The average revenue per available room was Dh431, up 6.7 per cent compared to a year earlier.
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
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What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
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But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
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