Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority;
Credit: Al Jazirah Al Hamra
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced that Ras Al Khaimah, one of the Arabian Gulf states and a LuxairTours destination since last year, has confirmed details of its "Stay Safe" hotel certification with Bureau Veritas, with the support of the Emirate's Public Service Department (PSD).
The certification will require hospitality providers to meet a set of requirements and pass an official assessment, leading to a safety endorsement by the relevant authorities. The certification process will be determined by a series of measures targeted at the various hotel departments and an official assessment, once in the recovery phase of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Deemed as the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification, the effort aims to boost confidence and rebuild trust in the destination's tourism once the necessary travel restrictions are lifted. Measures will include a full sterilisation programme, conducted alongside the PSD, currently implementing the National Sterilisation Programme in the Emirate, as well as training on appropriate guest interactions, employee engagement, elevated property hygiene standards and operational procedures to be actioned in the recovery phase.
Bureau Veritas will implement the SafeGuard Assurance Program across the Emirate’s hospitality industry.
“Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is working closely with the Public Service Department of Ras Al Khaimah (PSD), to launch the 'Stay Safe RAK' campaign, requiring hotels to fulfil a set of measures to attain the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification’. Achievement of the certification will result in the hotels being endorsed by the relevant authorities, thereby supporting the public’s confidence in their offerings", stated Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “Though we are facing unprecedented times, the travel industry is resilient, and I have no doubt that if we all work together and focus on recovery, it will come back stronger” he added.
Hotels in the Emirate are already planning ahead, ensuring action is underway and documented, to clean and sanitise properties in accordance with the best practices shared by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. Currently the health, safety and wellbeing of guests as well as the Emirate’s hospitality teams remains a priority.
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority maintains constant dialogue with hotel partners to ensure the highest levels of hygiene are adhered to, whilst complying with the social distancing advisories from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the UAE federal authorities.
The Authority’s four-step road to recovery places initial focus on the domestic market, followed by the GCC and wider Middle East, to then be extended to Asia and Europe. The first phase of recovery will see the launch of the UAE ‘Shortcation’ Campaign, offering guests staying three nights at Ras Al Khaimah hotels, two complementary passes to attractions such as the Jais Adventure Peak and the Suwaidi Peal Farm. This will be introduced when the necessary travel restrictions are lifted and the federal authorities deem travel safe to proceed and will run in addition to the ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion across hospitality and dining sectors. These efforts alongside the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification, aim to reinforce the destination’s appeal and highlight the precautions taken, once travel can be facilitated.
