MEETING SPACES
Current dedicated conference and exhibition centres in Ras Al Khaimah include the Al Hamra Convention Centre and the RAK Exhibition Centre.
The Al Hamra Convention Centre offers a pre-function area for receptions that leads to a 816-square-metre double-height ballroom, which can cater to 800 for a cocktail reception, 700 theatre-style or 600 seated for a banquet. This can be separated into three independent conference rooms, each with its own automated audio-visual system. A busi- ness centre is located on the first floor and features six boardrooms, ideal for smaller business meetings and training sessions for up to 40 people.
The RAK Exhibition Centre complex, meanwhile, has four gated entrances to the exhibition hall and also boasts: a restaurant; cafeterias; an air-conditioned tent fully- equipped with electronic games; a 260-square-metre storage house; parking for more than 1,000 vehicles; a stage for shows and promo- tions; a meeting room; and a reception hall.
23 percent increase in the average daily rate, translating to a 32.6 percent hike in RevPar. City hotels, on the other hand, showed an increase in the average daily rate by 21 percent and in the RevPar by 33 percent. Occupancy reached an average of 74 percent. The latest figures bode well for Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitious
plans to increase arrival numbers by investing in new hotels and attractions. Indeed, Victor Louis, Chief Operating Officer of RAK TDA, says increasing hotel supplies will be the key driver for encouraging more travellers to consider the emirate as their next holiday or business event destination. The government plans to invest AED1.84 billion (US$500 million), between now and the end of 2013, in tourism and hospitality projects. “Our challenge is to build more hotels to reach a target of 10,000
rooms by 2016 and to receive 1.2 million visitors by 2013. By the first quarter of 2013, more than 900 rooms will be added to the emirate’s existing inventory of 2,947 rooms with the opening of Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah and Rixos Bab Al Bahr,” he tells meetme. Currently, RAK TDA (established in May 2011) estimates that
leisure travellers comprise the majority of the emirate’s inbound traffic. In the near future, however, it expects more corporate travellers to be drawn to the city as additional meeting and convention spaces come on line. The expansion of the hospitality sector represents some positive
news for the meetings industry as many of the new hotels will have dedicated meeting and conference facilities. Waldorf Astoria, for example, will feature a boardroom, ballroom and convention centre for business meetings, conferences and private functions. Its ballroom will have an exclusive VIP arrival hall and multiple pre-function spaces, while the convention centre will cater for 1,000 people.
Turkish hotel chain Rixos, meanwhile, will have
a large ballroom, three spacious meeting rooms and outdoor venues that offer flexible planning variations. The hotel will have a dedicated conference concierge and professional meeting co-ordinators to work with meeting planners. Ras Al Khaimah is also considering its proximity
to Dubai as playing a key part in attracting new meetings business. “The attractions and activities we offer are different and, therefore, could be tapped to complement Dubai’s products,” says Louis. “This proves attractive even for corporate event programmes that might only include a one-night itinerary.”
Top:
Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah
Left:
Ras Al Khaimah, Land of Pearls
Above:
Rixos Bab Al Bahr Ras Al Khaimah Resort
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