Abu Dhabi - WAM
Ras Al Khaimah earned around US$118.7 million in tourism revenues from a total of 330,048 visitors during the first half of this year, according to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA).
The emirate saw a surge in visitors from all its top five tourism source markets: the U.A.E., Germany, Russia, England and India.
"The driving force behind RAK's tourism confidence is affordable luxury," said Steven Rice, CEO of RAK TDA.
"The emirate's diverse nature and unspoiled beaches are one of its main selling points, especially for tourists looking for a good time.
Ras Al Khaimah's hotels also recorded healthy occupancy levels during the first six months of this year, the tourism authority said.
Hotel occupancy in the northern emirate reached 64.11 per cent while the average daily rate amounted to US$69.85, generating revenues worth US$14.9 million.
"The RAK government set up Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (Ras Al Khaimah TDA) in 2011 as part of its effort to shore up tourism. It had also targeted to invest US$500 million in tourism development projects," he said.