Announcement further solidifies Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism strategy, opening up the Emirate to a key international market as travel restrictions continue to ease. Operating services from eight major cities in Kazakhstan, the partnership will see multiple flights a week into Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announces a strategic partnership with SCAT Airlines that will see the Emirate welcome commercial flights from eight cities in Kazakhstan starting from March 2021. The move strengthens Ras Al Khaimah’s recovery strategy, following its initial focus on domestic tourism before opening up to international markets as travel corridors are established.

Kazakhstan placed within the top five source markets for inbound tourism to the Emirate over the past few years, demonstrating strong growth in visitor traffic prior to the global travel restrictions. Through the new route, SCAT Airline passengers will experience a one-of-kind getaway to Ras Al Khaimah, a safe destination as certified by both Bureau Veritas, the international leader in testing, inspection and certification and the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) Safe Travels Stamp. They will also receive complimentary PCR testing – a service that Ras Al Khaimah is extending to all international visitors. Located less than a five-hour flight from Kazakhstan and its major cities, travellers will enjoy direct and seamless entry into the Emirate via Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, located just 15 minutes away from sprawling beaches and world class hotels, including Rixos, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz Carlton and Hilton Hotels. The properties are currently offering a range of promotions to domestic and international visitors, some including all-inclusive offers set against widely spaced areas conducive to social distancing.

Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, commented: “Our partnership with SCAT Airlines is a key milestone in Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism strategy, especially as we co-create a viable tourism vision for ‘new normal’ and post pandemic travel. Visitors from Kazakhstan have enjoyed the genuine hospitality of Ras Al Khaimah for many years and we are thrilled to continue welcoming our valued guests in ways that are meaningful to their travel experience – direct commercial flights from a number of cities in Kazakhstan to our Emirate.” He added, “Aligned with this approach is our commitment to ensure the safety and security of all our guests as they enjoy the warmer weather and take full advantage of Ras Al Khaimah’s many great outdoor attractions from beaches to mountains; culture to adventure and much more.”

Vladimir Sytnik, Vice President, SCAT Airlines, commented: SCAT Airlines is excited to commence direct flights once a week to Ras Al Khaimah on 5 March from eight cities of Kazakhstan, including Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Aktobe, Aktau, Atyrau, Uralsk, Karaganda and Shymkent on our Boeing 737-700 NG aircraft.  Our mutual collaboration with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority provides citizens of Kazakhstan with a service that satisfies not only the needs of residents of larger cities but also makes it possible to travel to Ras Al Khaimah from other regions, which is very important for the family holiday segment.” He further added, “Now families of all sizes will be able to travel to their favorite country and Emirate by direct flight with ease and without any inconveniences and enjoy the very best that the destination has to offer.”

Following a period of unprecedented disruption to the travel and tourism sector, Ras Al Khaimah has emerged stronger than ever as a destination with world-class safety protocols in place and a robust development plan for sustainable tourism growth.  Its efforts till date have seen the Emirate lead in ADR (average daily rate) in the UAE and RevPAR (revenue per available room) in the UAE and GCC for 2020.

With green shoots of recovery emerging, it is building on this momentum with strategic partnerships to drive its growth as one of the most dynamic tourist destinations. The partnership with SCAT Airlines supports the recovery of international tourism, driving footfall from major cities in Kazakhstan to the Emirate.

Guests’ safety and wellbeing remains Ras Al Khaimah’s utmost priority. In addition to becoming the first city in the world to be certified as safe by Bureau Veritas and World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), all 45 of its hotels have also received Bureau Veritas certification. RAKTDA works closely with all hotel partners to ensure they are strictly adhering to all government and public health guidelines and complying with all social distancing advisories.

SCAT Airlines operates primarily out of Shymkent International Airport, with key ports including Aktau International Airport, Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport and Almaty International Airport.