Ras Al Khaimah Exhibitions Visitor Numbers Increased by 27% during 2015

The RAK Exhibition Center, affiliated to RAK’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has seen a 27% increase in the number of visitors during 2015. 24 events, some independent and others under the Chamber’s auspices, attracted visitors throughout the year, including 15 exhibitions (up from 12 exhibitions in 2014), along with a variety of commercial, industrial and educational events.

Mohammed Al Sabab, Acting Director of the RAK Chamber, said that the UAE’s exhibition industry is one of the most important drivers of the local economy and reflects the unique economic position of the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah has been working on attracting a series of exhibitions through its Exhibition Center. He pointed out that this position plays a vital role in stimulating economic and tourism performance.

He clarified that the number of visitors increased to 553,900 in 2015 - compared to 435,280 in 2015, a growth rate of 27%. This is due to the RAK Chamber’s policy during the past year, which focused on high quality and specialized of exhibitions which would attracting the attention of professionals and other specific target audiences.

Ambitious Plan

Mohammed Al Sabab referred to the RAK Chamber’s ambitious plan for exhibitions in 2016, which includes many ideas and goals designed to attract specialist and government exhibitions and other events. A marketing department will be established to ensure use of the facilities during intervals, along with a variety of activities and goods on display - in line with developments in the exhibitions market. The plan also includes communicating with businessmen and investors to organize new exhibitions, and providing the required support to companies participating in specialized exhibitions in order to further develop these types of exhibitions in the emirate, in addition to organizing the 9th RAK Book Fair in its new format.

Qualitative Support

The Director General of the RAK Chamber explained: “RAK Expo has witnessed a great deal of development and success since its establishment, through attracting a number of successful specialist and consumer exhibitions and festivals. RAK Expo is becoming the first destination for major exhibitions in Ras Al Khaimah.”

“For continued success, the new plan will support the exhibition center by providing new services to RAK Expo, including an electronic advertising display screen, first aid room, goods entrance open 24 hours, organizing exhibition inaugurations through RAK Expo’s management, and publishing an annual guide along with a schedule of exhibitions”, he added.

Challenges

Al Sabab confirmed the ongoing objective of persuading major UAE companies to participate at exhibitions, using attractions aimed at convincing businessmen and investors in other countries to organise exhibitions in the emirate, the implementation of media marketing, keeping pace with the fast growing exhibitions sector, and avoiding holding exhibitions with similar goods at the same time so as not to affect the number of visitors.

RAK Exhibition Center

The RAK Exhibition Center extends over an area of 37,400 square meters and is located in the Al Nakheel district, near the commercial markets and adjacent to the RAK Chamber building. The Center was opened in April 1996 with a single hall, then developed to add a further one; one has an area of 3600 square meters and the other an 1800 square meter area. In addition, there are outdoor open spaces of more than 3000 square meters that can be used for different types of displays and entertainment.