Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (Rakia) has announced the inauguration of regular charter services from Copenhagen offered by Atlantis Rejser, a leading independent Danish tour operator.

Rakia announced that global interest in the business and tourism potential of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) has further intensified with the increasing number of European visitors arriving in the emirate.

“The new charter flights open a new avenue for European travellers to enjoy Ras Al Khaimah’s world-class hospitality and experience the emirate’s unique culture,” said Hilary McCormack, manager, RAK Tourism.

The agreement to open new charter flights between Copenhagen and Ras Al Khaimah was sealed during Rakia’s participation at the ITB 09 exhibition in Berlin wherein Dr Khater Massaad, chief of Rakia, explored various tourism and hospitality business prospects with leading industry players from Europe.

“The recent groundbreaking achievements of the emirate, including the widely publicised successful bid to host the America’s Cup 2010, have definitely contributed in making Ras Al Khaimah a major tourist hotspot and a new target for investors and business organisations worldwide,” added McCormack.

The new charter flight has been realised in conjunction with the Hamra Hotels & Resorts which has been collaborating with RAK’s major ports facilities to offer value-added services to tourists arriving in the emirate.

Atlantis Rejser has been a leading player in the Mena tourism industry as is responsible for bringing the largest volume of visitors from the Scandinavian market to Egypt.

Ras Al Khaimah will be hosting the prestigious 33rd America's Cup sailing competition in February of 2010, marking the first time that the race will be held in the Middle East.

The competition will be held in Al Hamra Village, where a 22-hectare island within Al Hamra Village lagoon will serve as the base for the sailing event. The island will accommodate the team bases and facilities for the media, the sponsors and the viewing public.-TradeArabia News Service