"The Event Emirate": Why Planners are Calling Ras Al Khaimah their Top Middle East Meetings Destination

This is a photo of a meeting and incentive group in the Ras Al Khaimah Emirate, showcasing the MICE industry. It is a photo of a group in an outdoor venue.

In the last three years, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates has emerged as a leading Middle East MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) destination for international planners looking to provide their attendees nature-based excursions and unique venues.

 

Gone are the days of closed-room conventions and attendee itineraries consisting of meetings and conference catering.  Just recently Meetings & Incentive Travel (M&IT) named Ras Al Khaimah the “leading MICE hub in the region” due to its untraditional nature-based venues and experiences. Not only that, but planners – from large reputable associations to incentive agencies – are referring to Ras Al Khaimah as “The Event Emirate”.

 

Planners are choosing Ras Al Khaimah over more conventional destinations. Below are the top six reasons why planners are booking Ras Al Khaimah:

 

From perks and bonuses to hands-on planning sessions, The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) team provides direct support to planners.

 

The RAKTDA team provides direct support to MICE planners, ensuring a seamless planning journey. The team offers expert guidance, personalized support, and incentives such as hotel discounts and tailor-made group excursion packages. RAKTDA is flexible and ready to accommodate specific requests, making it easy to execute successful events.

 

Learn more about the RAKTDA MICE team: https://raktda.com/mice.  

 

This is a photo of Socorro Morake, Senior Manager, Destination MICE for Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority meeting with an event planner.

 

Ras Al Khaimah has unique natural venues.

 

Ras Al Khaimah offers a plethora of venues in nature that set it apart from other Middle Eastern destinations. Planners can host their events in a jaw-dropping fort or host an incentive group at the world-famous pearl-diving location, Suwaidi Pearl Farm. Our Jais Sky Room provides breathtaking views from the highest meeting space in the UAE and the Jais Viewing Deck Park is a fit for corporate events or private parties. The Emirate also features exceptional venues like Marjan Island Beach and the Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre, the only conference center on the beach in the region. 

 

This is a photo of an incentive group at the Al Suwaidi Pearl farm, an off-site excursion for meetings and incentives groups in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

 

Search for a venue: https://raktda.com/mice. 

 

Planners are choosing Ras Al Khaimah for luxury in a remote location. 

 

Ras Al Khaimah provides planners with an extensive selection of luxury accommodations to cater to various group sizes, preferences, and budgets. From the iconic Ritz-Carlton properties, including Al Wadi Desert and Al Hamra Beach, to the world-renowned Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, as well as esteemed brands like IHG, Hilton, Movenpick, Rixos, and The Cove Rotana Resort, planners can find a wealth of trusted high-end brands to choose from.

 

Ras Al Khaimah’s luxury hotels offer an array of unique and exclusive spa treatments that will transport attendees to a world of tranquility and rejuvenation. Our spa options include the ‘Rainforest’ at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert or pearl-infused treatments at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. For a truly opulent experience, the La’Mar Spa by Marjan Island Resort & Spa is adorned with gold, creating an atmosphere of pure indulgence.

 

This is a photo of the Waldorf Astoria Beach, a fit resort for meetings and incentives groups coming to Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

 

Ras Al Khaimah stands out in the region as a contained, walkable and safe destination for attendees. 

 

Ras Al Khaimah stands out as a contained, walkable, and safe destination, mitigating risks and operational issues for planners while ensuring a memorable experience for attendees. Attendees appreciate the accessibility of hotels to off-site excursions, eliminating the need for long transportation times. 

 

In addition, the safety and walkability of the Emirate is a major draw, allowing attendees to venture beyond the hotel and venue, exploring the vibrant surroundings. This also offers planners the unique opportunity to provide two incentives in one, such as a sand and sea stay at the Ritz Carlton with its locations in both the desert and on the beach.

 

Start planning: https://raktda.com/mice

 

Ras Al Khaimah is a leader in sustainable events in the region.

 

When planners choose Ras Al Khaimah for meetings and incentives, they are contributing to local sustainability. Through a partnership with EarthCheck, RAKTDA benchmarks its progress towards sustainability goals.

 

RAKTDA’s focus on cultural conservation, community involvement, and liveability is evident in the purpose-driven development of attractions. As a trailblazer in the region, RAKTDA aims to become the Regional Leader in Sustainable Tourism by 2025 and has hosted the 10th Arab Aviation Summit with a focus on sustainability. Additionally, RAKTDA enforces green building codes and has launched a green public procurement program to encourage sustainable practices and minimize environmental impact. 

 

Ras Al Khaimah’s air connectivity is seeing major growth. 

 

Ras Al Khaimah’s air connectivity is seeing major growth, making it easier for planners to access this remarkable destination for meetings and incentive groups. There are now direct commercial flights to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport from Istanbul, Mumbai, Cairo, Jeddah, Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad, Dhaka, Kozhikode, Moscow, Doha, and Hyderabad, with new flight routes to and from Germany beginning later this year. Additionally, the Emirate is conveniently located just a 45-minute drive away from other major international airports. For incentives and VIPs, charter flights are also an option and play a significant role in offering an exclusive travel experience for these groups.

 

Top brands are choosing Ras Al Khaimah for their meetings and incentives programs.

 

This is a photo from the Global Citizen Festival 2022, outside of the Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Center.

 

Top brands from around the world are placing their trust in Ras Al Khaimah for their meetings and incentives. RAKTDA has built a strong reputation and is favored by established global brands for hosting well-known events. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Leadership Summit in 2020, the Global Citizen Forum in 2021 and 2022, and the PATA Annual Summit in 2022 are just a few examples of prestigious gatherings held in Ras Al Khaimah, showcasing the ability of our Emirate to attract and cater to top-notch organizers. Moreover, RAKTDA has extensive experience in organizing successful incentive programs, evident from our proven track record of delivering high-quality events.

 

Let’s connect! Connect with our team to review upcoming plans: https://raktda.com/mice.