In pictures: Putting Ras Al Khaimah on the tourist map

In the last 12 months, the emirate has seen several major new hotel openings, including the Waldorf Astoria (pictured) and the Rixos, increasing the number of rooms from 3,000 to 5,000.

The Falcon Island and construction as seen from Waldorf Astoria.

The Marjan Island Resort and Spa (pictured) opened on March 1 on the first man-made island in Ras Al Khaimah. The emirate’s first alcohol-free resort is enjoying a busy summer, in spite of the challenges usually faced by hotels during the hotter months.

The resort has so far proven popular with tourists, particularly Emirati and Arab families who say they feel more comfortable knowing no alcohol will be served anywhere in the hotel.

Khalid Motik, the acting general manager, says the resort offers more diversity to the emirate’s range of hotels and attractions. It is one of four to open on Marjan Island in the past year and is part of RAK’s growing tourism industry.

Haytham Omar, general manager of the Rixos resort (pictured), will be partnering with RAK Tourism and Development Authority (TDA) on its graduate recruitment programme and is keen to have locals work at the hotel.

Steven Rice, CEO of RAK Tourism and Development Authority (TDA), is charged with attracting tourists to Ras Al Khaimah and aims to capitalise on the emirate’s rich heritage, traditional culture, knowledgeable locals, rugged landscape and unspoilt coastline to wow visitors from all over the world.

Mr Rice has outlined his plans for the emirate in a 10-year master plan that he hopes will establish RAK on the tourist map.

The drive to attract more visitors to RAK means making the northern emirate more appealing to UAE residents, both Emiratis and expatriates. RAK Tourism and Development Authority hopes to achieve this by making the most of the emirate’s heritage and putting Emiratis at the forefront to help project the image of the emirate and to interact with visitors.