Latest news with #SageInclusion
Skift
05-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Disabled Travelers Are Often Ignored. Ras Al Khaimah Hopes to Change That
Ras Al Khaimah's tourism authority wants to pitch the emirate as a world-leader in accessible tourism. The first step towards that is much, much better marketing. The Ras Al Khaimah government has partnered with Sage Inclusion, a global provider of accessible tourism consulting, to position the emirate as the world's first certified destination for travelers with disabilities. Together with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Sage has developed a certification process that aims to pitch the once lesser-known emirate as a hub for inclusive travel. 'We're just about to become the first Sage-accredited destination in the world. We see that as the beginning of the journey,' said Emil Petrov, Vice President of Strategy and Insights at tourism authority, during a recent panel discussion moderated by Skift. John Sage, founder and CEO of Sage Inclusion, said the sector's biggest challenge is communication. 'The industry as a whole is not doing a very good job of marketing to people with disabilities,' said Sage. 'We are very thirsty for accessible information. But I'll tell you how overlooked this is — I'm a manual wheelchair user, CEO of three accessible travel companies, I travel constantly, and I receive no ads from any airport, airline, cruise line, or hotel chain.' 'No one is saying, 'We're accessible — here's how — book with us.' The industry is missing out on a huge demographic.' An Untapped Market In 2022, MMGY Global released Portrait of Travelers with Disabilities: Mobility and Accessibility, a survey highlighting the travel challenges faced by people who use mobility aids and their companions. The most common frustrations included lost or damaged mobility devices, inaccessible hotel amenities, and a lack of reliable information during trip planning. The survey of U.S. travelers found that accessibility issues were widespread, with 96% of respondents reporting problems with lodging, 86% with flights, and 79% with local transport. Despite these barriers, travelers with mobility disabilities took an average of 3.4 leisure trips annually and spent around $3,546 per year, contributing a significant $58.2 billion annually to the U.S. travel economy. According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 billion people — roughly 16% of the global population — live with a significant disability. While Ras Al Khaimah isn't aiming to attract them all, it has set a target of 3.5 million visitors by 2030, with accessibility a pillar in its tourism expansion. The first step in Ras Al Khaimah's accreditation process is to centralize accessibility information across its tourism sector. 'The first stage for us is information provision,' said Petrov. 'Not having centralized and consistent information is one of the biggest barriers to travel. But also, what gets measured gets managed. By putting the information out there, we create the right incentives.' He added, 'If the information is available, the demand will come.' Building with Accessibility in Mind The certification also ensures future developments in the emirate incorporate inclusive design from the outset. 'As part of the audit, we visited upcoming projects to ensure they had the right standard operating procedures to build in compliance and identify areas for improvement,' Petrov explained. Ras Al Khaimah's hotel inventory is expected to double by 2027, with nearly 7,000 new rooms under development and another 1,000 in planning for completion by 2030. Much of this growth is focused on Al Marjan Island — a man-made four-island archipelago — where brands like Marriott (including JW Marriott, Westin, W, and Le Méridien) and luxury operators like Nobu are establishing a presence. Sage noted that the accreditation will also benefit MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) travel. 'It not only supports leisure travelers, but also event organizers and business travel managers,' he said. 'They want accessibility but often lack the expertise or time to ensure it. With Ras Al Khaimah certified, they can confidently host events that include people with disabilities.' 'We evaluated hotels, attractions, transportation — everything — so that whether it's a large group or a small one, they'll know they can come here.' Accessibility Efforts in The Region While Ras Al Khaimah may be the first to get this new stamp from Sage, they are not the only ones in the region talking about accessibility. Just last week, neighboring emirate Dubai announced it had become the first autism-friendly-certified destination in the Eastern Hemisphere. Recognized by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Dubai's certification means the city has implemented autism-friendly measures across airports, hotels, attractions, and transport systems. Over 70,000 people have been trained in autism and sensory awareness, more than 300 hotels are involved in the certification process, and key locations like Dubai International Airport, Emirates airline, and Expo City have received individual certifications. In Saudi Arabia, Red Sea Global, the master developer of The Red Sea Project, says it is building all 50 of its new hotels, its new airport, and all transportation infrastructure with accessibility in mind. Looking ahead, Petrov said Ras Al Khaimah's goals will always shift when it comes to accessibility. "It's a continuous journey. I think we'll know that we succeed when we stop talking about accessibility and it just becomes natural and intuitive."
Khaleej Times
05-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'Destination of the future': Ras Al Khaimah airport posts record passenger traffic in 2024
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport recorded a 28% growth in arrivals in 2024, nearly double the figures from 2022. The increase brought over 661,000 passengers to the emirate and this is largely attributed to the flight connectivity. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism, mentioned that Ras Al Khaimah Airport will continue to focus on enhancing connectivity. The aim is to increase the number of direct flights as part of the city's growth strategy. Direct flights from nine cities, including Bucharest, Prague, Moscow, Almaty, Tashkent, Warsaw, Katowice, Jeddah, and Hyderabad, have opened new markets, significantly boosting the emirate's tourism sector. Phillps noted, "Ras Al Khaimah is now seen as a great tourism destination in many of our source markets, from India to China, Western Europe, and in the GCC. But, especially domestically, we remain the number one place in the UAE for domestic tourism." Ras Al Khaimah's tourism revenue increased by 12% due to higher visitor spending. One key factor in the tourism growth was the longer average stay duration of seven nights among international visitors, which contributed alongside Ras Al Khaimah's diverse offerings like cultural heritage, beaches, and mountain adventures. In partnership with Musandam in Oman and nearby Ras Al Khaimah, the See Double summer campaign successfully contributed to tourism growth by providing a unique experience. Phillip said, "The idea let's you stay in Ras Al Khaimah while enjoying a day in Musandam, participating in all their activities. Plus, the ocean there is different from ours." The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment grew by 15%, reflecting Ras Al Khaimah's diversification beyond its traditional beach and adventure offerings. "The increase in MICE visitors highlights how Ras Al Khaimah is evolving beyond its reputation as a beach and adventure destination. It's becoming a hub for business events and conferences, which play a critical role in supporting our economy," said Phillips. As part of its vision to become a "destination of the future," Ras Al Khaimah prioritises accessibility and inclusivity. The emirate has partnered with Sage Inclusion to benchmark its accessibility offerings and identify areas for improvement. Efforts include addressing the needs of travellers with mobility, cognitive, and sensory challenges, ensuring that everyone feels welcome. Looking ahead, Ras Al Khaimah has set its sights on attracting 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030. Achieving this ambitious goal will involve doubling the number of hotel rooms in the Emirates. New luxury and lifestyle hotels, including Wynn Resort, Nobu, JW Marriott, and Rove Hotel, are set to significantly enhance the emirate's capacity and appeal. Phillips highlighted the importance of maintaining a diversified tourism strategy. "We want Ras Al Khaimah to be a destination for everyone, whether for leisure, business, or cultural exploration. We focus on creating unforgettable experiences that cater to all types of travellers," he said.
