RAS AL KHAIMAH RECEIVES RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS IN 2022

THE RAS AL KHAIMAH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY has reported its highest-ever annual visitor numbers, with over 1.13 million overnight arrivals in 2022, a 15.6 per cent increase over 2021. Last year, there was also a 40 per cent increase in international visitors to Ras Al Khaimah, with key source markets being Kazakhstan, Russia, the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Several new hotels and resorts opened in Ras Al Khaimah last year, thereby raising the emirate’s hospitality inventory by 17 per cent to reach over 8,000 keys. There are 19 upcoming properties, from brands including Marriott, Millennium, Anantara and Sofitel. One of the biggest projects will be the addition of the multibillion-dollar integrated resort development by Wynn Resorts in 2026.

Wizz Air ramps up operations between Europe and Saudi Arabia

WIZZ AIR HAS RECENTLY begun operating several new routes between Europe and Saudi Arabia. In January, it started ights between Bucharest and Jeddah, Budapest and Jeddah and Rome and Jeddah. e twice-weekly services from these three European cities to Jeddah o er one-way tickets starting at €29.99. Also last month, the carrier initiated twice-weekly ights between Budapest and Riyadh and Bucharest and Riyadh. ese new services follow a commitment by Wizz Air last year to establish 20 new routes to the kingdom from Europe. Wizz Air has previously signed an MoU with the Ministry of Investment for Saudi Arabia to support the kingdom’s Air Connectivity Programme and its Vision 2030 initiative that aims to triple the country’s passenger tra c by 2030.

Qatar Airways To Credit Avios Points Two Hours Before Departures

QATAR AIRWAYS HAS CHANGED the rules on Avios earning allowing members of its Qatar Airways Privilege Club to spend the currency at Hamad International Airport (HIA). The move means that travellers at all departure points will be rewarded with Avios points upon check in which will be credited up to 120 minutes before the flight’s departure. The points can now also be collected and spent at almost 200 outlets at HIA in partnership with Qatar Duty Free. The airline added that Avios can be used in conjunction with cash, thereby working as a part payment option. Avios can be earned by flying with Qatar Airways, Oneworld airlines, plus QR’s airline partners too.