TOURISM SEGMENT AS MORE AND MORE COUPLES HEAD TO THE REGION TO CELEBRATE. REALISING THE SECTOR’S POTENTIAL, TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS ARE ENSURING IT FORMS AN INTEGRAL PART IN THEIR STRATEGIES.
“The weddings and honeymoons sector is absolutely important to Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism industry, [it is] an area we see great potential in growing,” stated Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, who identified the GCC and India among the emirate’s key feeder markets.
According to Mattar, due to the perceived surge in demand, the UAE destination has gone to great lengths to foster the sector’s development with initiatives such as the construction of a semi-permanent multipurpose venue for large-scale indoor and outdoor weddings on Al Marjan Island.
All in all, the tourism body aims to attract couples in search of exclusive and off-the-beaten-track experiences with creative wedding ideas, fully utilising the emirate’s natural surroundings.
As a general consensus, the segment has risen through the ranks in several destinations across the region.
H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, expressed, “[Sharjah] is known for its secure and family-friendly atmosphere as well as for a variety of tourism and hospitality facilities, which make the emirate a popular choice for weddings and honeymoons as well.”
Among its promotional initiatives, the destination is making a mark as a provider of world-class tourism facilities and capabilities, something that is considered a key pillar of Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 that aims to attract 10 million visitors.
“The emirate offers the latest facilities in terms of wedding banquets and world-class hotels and resorts at comparatively cost-effective rates,” Al Midfa added, highlighting Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre that has become a year-round venue for weddings.
Indirectly sharing the same view with most tourism stakeholders in the region, in regards to their respective destinations, Mattar enthused, “Globally, more and more couples are choosing to have an overseas wedding, and Ras Al Khaimah is definitely getting a slice of this trend.”
