Ras Al Khaimah pledges sustainable tourism by 2025

A new set of guidelines were issued for all stakeholders in the tourism industry, including government departments, hospitality, hotel development and real estate sectors.

"As government and tourism stakeholders collectively pledge to work together in order to establish Ras Al Khaimah as a regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025, we are also signalling that environmental considerations are necessary for long term investment and hospitality development in a destination,” said Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

The guiding principles for all tourism stakeholders include protecting and enhancing Ras Al Khaimah’s cultural and natural heritage through implementing sustainable management frameworks and embracing green construction principles; delivering new developments and experiences which complement Ras Al Khaimah’s natural environments; regular measurement and benchmarking of key environmental, economic and cultural tourism indicators; working across the destination to minimise energy, water usage and waste generation; building improved tourism industry resilience; respecting and safeguarding local culture and communities.

Among the Government departments and partners signing the Commitment were RAK Tourism Development Authority, RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry, RAK Environment Protection and Development Authority, RAK Municipality, Department of Antiquities and Museums, RAK Ports, RAK Public Services Department, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, RAK Government Media Office, RAK International Airport, Al Hamra Real Estate Development, and Marjan.

The Ritz-Carlton properties in Ras Al Khaimah, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort, DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan, Suwaidi Pearls, The Warrior group, and Adventurati Outdoor, were some of the private companies that agreed to the sustainability clause.