Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah Reveals UAE's First Cross-Emirate Hiking Trail
Fujairah Adventures and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance adventure tourism across the UAE.
The agreement, signed at Fujairah's International Conference on Adventure Tourism on April 30, took place in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.
The partnership will connect the mountainous regions of both emirates, creating the UAE's first cross-emirate hiking trail.
This initiative aims to link Ras Al Khaimah's peaks and adventure facilities with Fujairah's wadis and heritage paths.
'This collaboration isn't just about expanding our tourism offerings – it's about creating meaningful connections between landscapes, communities, and cultures in ways we've never seen before. By partnering with Fujairah Adventures, we are not only enriching adventure tourism in the UAE but also setting a precedent for cross-destination collaborations that celebrate diversity, champion sustainability, and inspire a new era of exploration across the region's most breathtaking terrains,' Brent Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer, RAKTDA said.
The partnership will create an integrated experience spanning mountains, wadis, coastal areas, and deserts whilst prioritising environmental conservation, cultural heritage, and community engagement.
Ras Al Khaimah features Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak, which hosts attractions including Jais Flight, Jais Sledder, Jais Sky Tour, and the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp. The emirate also offers a 97km hiking network and the 40km Jebel Jais Rim Trail.
Fujairah contributes the Fujairah Adventure Park and numerous trails, including the Altaybbah Historic Route, Seven Summits Hike, Ain Al Sheria Trail, Wadi Al Dahir Hike, Wadi Al Abadilah, Sal Khail Trail, and the Alaqqah Coastal Ridge.
'This MOU represents a strategic step toward strengthening the adventure tourism landscape in the UAE. By joining forces with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, we enhance our collective presence on the international stage, positioning both emirates as key players in the region's adventure tourism sector. This collaboration allows us to share expertise, align development efforts, and create a more interconnected and competitive offering that attracts global adventurers while preserving the unique identity of each destination. Additionally, it highlights the rich culture and heritage of both emirates, ensuring that adventure tourism is deeply rooted in the authentic experiences and history that define our regions,' Amr Zein Eddin, Fujairah Adventures Center Manager added.
The timing of this partnership corresponds with growth in the adventure tourism sector. From 2022 to 2025, adventure tourism has contributed significantly to the local economy, with projections estimating the sector will reach AED30 million by 2030.
Global travel trends indicate the adventure tourism segment is expected to grow at an annual rate of 10-15 per cent over the next five years. Market studies suggest that by 2030, the market could contribute up to 35 per cent of the Middle East's total tourism revenue.
This new agreement builds upon RAKTDA's existing partnerships, including its collaboration with Musandam Governorate in Oman to promote joint travel experiences.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Trade Arabia
27-05-2025
- Trade Arabia
Mövenpick Al Marjan wins big at RAK Tourism Excellence Awards
Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island has made history at the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Excellence Awards, hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), by snapping up four of the most distinguished awards of the evening - affirming the resort's position as a leader in luxury hospitality, sustainability and culinary excellence. A five-star resort located on the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, Mövenpick Al Marjan Island boasts 418 well-designed rooms with unobstructed sea views, suites and chalets set against the picturesque backdrop of the Arabian Peninsula. The family friendly resort is set along a 300 m stretch of white sandy seashore with 28 beachfront suites featuring private swimming pools or terraces landscaped for peace and privacy. The awards ceremony, the first of its kind in the UAE, marked a new chapter in recognising outstanding contributions to Ras Al Khaimah's fast-growing tourism and hospitality sector. Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island stood out among a competitive lineup of top-tier hotels and resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, emerging as a multi-award winner across four pivotal categories: *Outstanding General Manager Award – Fabien Chesnais, a visionary hospitality leader known for steering the resort with purpose and passion. *Platinum Green Hotel Sustainability Award – The highest accolade for the resort's strong commitment to eco-conscious practices and green innovation. *Platinum Excellence Corporate Award – Best Hotel 2025 – A celebration of the resort's operational excellence, innovation and service leadership. *Culinary Artisan of the Year – Executive Chef Rajiv Ranjan Singh, recognized for his creative flair and dedication to unforgettable dining experiences. "This milestone is a testament to the hard work, innovation and unwavering dedication of our entire Mövenpick family," said Chesnais, after receiving the awards. "To be recognized across leadership, sustainability, culinary and overall excellence categories speaks volumes about our team's collective commitment to raising the bar in hospitality not just in Ras Al Khaimah, but across the UAE," he stated. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Excellence Awards celebrate exceptional achievements in the tourism landscape, highlighting businesses, individuals and initiatives that continue to elevate the emirate as a premier global destination. The ceremony also spotlighted special honorary contributions, underscoring a shared ambition to position Ras Al Khaimah as a sustainable, innovative and world-class hub for tourism, said the hospitality group. Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island's recognition marks a defining moment for the resort and its role in shaping the future of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism success story, it added.
Gulf Insider
01-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah Reveals UAE's First Cross-Emirate Hiking Trail
Fujairah Adventures and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance adventure tourism across the UAE. The agreement, signed at Fujairah's International Conference on Adventure Tourism on April 30, took place in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah. The partnership will connect the mountainous regions of both emirates, creating the UAE's first cross-emirate hiking trail. This initiative aims to link Ras Al Khaimah's peaks and adventure facilities with Fujairah's wadis and heritage paths. 'This collaboration isn't just about expanding our tourism offerings – it's about creating meaningful connections between landscapes, communities, and cultures in ways we've never seen before. By partnering with Fujairah Adventures, we are not only enriching adventure tourism in the UAE but also setting a precedent for cross-destination collaborations that celebrate diversity, champion sustainability, and inspire a new era of exploration across the region's most breathtaking terrains,' Brent Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer, RAKTDA said. The partnership will create an integrated experience spanning mountains, wadis, coastal areas, and deserts whilst prioritising environmental conservation, cultural heritage, and community engagement. Ras Al Khaimah features Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak, which hosts attractions including Jais Flight, Jais Sledder, Jais Sky Tour, and the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp. The emirate also offers a 97km hiking network and the 40km Jebel Jais Rim Trail. Fujairah contributes the Fujairah Adventure Park and numerous trails, including the Altaybbah Historic Route, Seven Summits Hike, Ain Al Sheria Trail, Wadi Al Dahir Hike, Wadi Al Abadilah, Sal Khail Trail, and the Alaqqah Coastal Ridge. 'This MOU represents a strategic step toward strengthening the adventure tourism landscape in the UAE. By joining forces with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, we enhance our collective presence on the international stage, positioning both emirates as key players in the region's adventure tourism sector. This collaboration allows us to share expertise, align development efforts, and create a more interconnected and competitive offering that attracts global adventurers while preserving the unique identity of each destination. Additionally, it highlights the rich culture and heritage of both emirates, ensuring that adventure tourism is deeply rooted in the authentic experiences and history that define our regions,' Amr Zein Eddin, Fujairah Adventures Center Manager added. The timing of this partnership corresponds with growth in the adventure tourism sector. From 2022 to 2025, adventure tourism has contributed significantly to the local economy, with projections estimating the sector will reach AED30 million by 2030. Global travel trends indicate the adventure tourism segment is expected to grow at an annual rate of 10-15 per cent over the next five years. Market studies suggest that by 2030, the market could contribute up to 35 per cent of the Middle East's total tourism revenue. This new agreement builds upon RAKTDA's existing partnerships, including its collaboration with Musandam Governorate in Oman to promote joint travel experiences.
Trade Arabia
29-04-2025
- Trade Arabia
GWC plans major solar energy projects in Qatar
Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) has announced the launch of one of the GCC's largest private solar energy projects - supercharging its sustainability efforts and cementing its role as a trailblazer in green logistics. This landmark initiative will see GWC work with Yellow Door Energy, a leading sustainable energy partner for businesses in the Middle East and Africa, to develop solar power plants across three strategic logistics hubs in the region: Logistics Village Qatar, Bu Sulba Warehousing Park and Al Wukair Logistics Park. Matthew Kearns, Acting Group CEO of GWC, said: 'This announcement marks a major milestone in integrating sustainable practices across all our operations. Warehouses are key to this, and we are excited to partner with Yellow Door Energy to introduce this innovative solution that will deliver real impact at these three sites. 'The Gulf enjoys an abundance of sunlight and this project will harness this renewable resource to power our operations, not only reducing our carbon footprint but also contributing to a more sustainable future for the region.' GWC offers a diverse and growing service portfolio, including contract logistics, freight forwarding, transportation, records management, and supply chain consulting. As a member of the UN Global Compact, it has committed to adopting sustainable and socially responsible policies across all its activities, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions by 3% for Scope 1 (direct emissions from fleet) and 6% for Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy), as well as 20% reduction in waste by 2030. GWC's latest sustainability initiative closely aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which targets 4 GW of new large-scale renewable energy capacity by 2030, with solar playing a key role. Jeremy Crane, Group CEO of Yellow Door Energy, said: 'We are honoured to embark on this partnership with GWC to accelerate its sustainability stewardship, reduce its energy costs and contribute to Qatar's Net Zero by 2050 target. As the largest and most trusted distributed solar developer in the region, Yellow Door Energy is well positioned to help large energy consumers, such as logistics industrial parks, decarbonise their operations and enhance their business resilience. With over 400 MWp of awarded solar assets across 150 sites, our team of dedicated energy professionals is ready to deploy capital, spearhead design and construction whilst adhering to the strictest QHSSE standards, and operate and maintain the solar power systems to maximize their performance during the tenure of the terms.' GWC has been widely recognised for its commitment to environmental stewardship, with Al Wukair Logistics Park, a site in this project, winning the 'Logistics Project of the Year' at the 2025 Logistics Middle East Awards, including for its green initiatives. GWC also earned a place among Forbes Middle East's Sustainability Leaders for 2024. Other trailblazing green projects include the Biobin recycling program, which processed food waste from GWC sites into 40 tons of premium compost that was donated to community garden projects last year.
