Dubai: Thomas Cook, the UK-based travel company, is opening its latest hotel, the smartline Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort on November 1, 2017. The hotel will be the company’s first own-brand hotel in the UAE, and will feature 253 chalets, a private beach, three pools, a spa and dining outlets.
The opening is part of Thomas Cook’s plans to grow its portfolio of own-brand hotels, and is in addition to the 22 hotels the company is opening across the summer 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The move comes as Thomas Cook and Ras Al Khaimah’s Tourism Development Authority extended their cooperative marketing agreement, which aims to promote Ras Al Khaimah as a leisure destination for European tourists.
In a statement on Thursday, the Authority said the partnership between two sides that started in 2016, will enter its second phase in August 2017. The deal aims to develop Ras Al Khaimah as a year-round destination for tourists.
Thomas Cook’s creative agency, 1841, will lead the development of the promotional campaign, which will focus on key growth markets including the UK, Germany, Nordics, Russia and the Netherlands.
“International visitors represent almost two thirds of the overall tourism to Ras Al Khaimah, with the UK and Germany being among the top three source markets. This partnership will continue to attract holidaymakers from Europe who seek great value beach holidays and authentic adventure- and culture-based experiences,” Haitham Mattar, chief executive officer of Ras Al Khaimah’s Tourism Development Authority, said in a statement.
