Julia Simpson, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), convened with His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi during her official visit to Ras Al Khaimah. The meeting occurred against the backdrop of Ras Al Khaimah's thriving tourism sector, with Simpson delivering a keynote speech at the IHG IMEA General Managers Conference alongside His Highness.

In her address to delegates, Simpson highlighted the remarkable growth of Ras Al Khaimah as a global destination, citing last year's record-breaking statistics which saw a 24% year-on-year increase in international visitors, reaching an impressive 1.2 million. She attributed this success to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi, as well as the dedication of Raki Phillips and the Tourism Development Authority team.

"Right now, this is one of the fastest growing destinations in the world," Simpson declared. "It is a credit to the vision of His Highness, Sheikh Saud, and the hard work of Raki Phillips and his team at the Tourism Development Authority."

Simpson concluded her speech by commending His Highness and the Tourism Development Board for their unwavering commitment to prioritizing Travel & Tourism, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and digitalization. Their collective efforts have firmly placed Ras Al Khaimah on the global tourism map, setting a standard for excellence and innovation in the industry.

The meeting between Simpson and His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi symbolizes the collaborative efforts between international tourism organizations and local leadership to drive forward the growth and development of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism sector.