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The three-course Via Ferrata covers the rocky facades of Jebel Jais, the country’s highest peak that rises to 6,266 feet and is part of the rugged Al Hajar mountain range where the average climate is 10 degrees Celsius below mean Gulf temperatures.
The new adventure product, which is just 45 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah’s growing stock of beachfront resorts, is part of the emirate’s Vision 2019 Destination Tourism strategy and has been produced by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) that is currently working with industry stakeholders to develop experience packages to also cover accommodation and travel.
“The world-class Via Ferrata is the first in a range of mountain, activity and adventure products we are developing specifically for nature and adventure seekers,” said Haitham Mattar, CEO, RAKTDA, which develops the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and initiates its domestic and overseas promotions.
“Already on the drawing board is the world’s longest zip-line and adventure park, which we are planning to launch in Q4 2017. We believe the Via Ferrata and our planned adventure tourism products will have strong appeal with both the domestic and overseas activity tourism and sports market and we are currently engaging source market trade partners who want to join hands with us in developing a niche sector, which leverages Ras Al Khaimah’s spectacular mountain terrain resources,” he said.
“Our Vision 2019 includes a roadmap for innovative hospitality concepts which take advantage of our destination’s unique natural assets – including amazing coastline, stunning mountain ranges, hot springs and expansive desert. We have identified these areas as excellent opportunities for investment in luxury mountain resorts and wellness retreats,” Mattar added.
Ras Al Khaimah’s 470 metre-long Via Ferrata is unique to the region as it comprises of three individual start and finish points, in addition to three zip-lines measuring 165 feet, 195 feet and 985 feet to expand possibilities for various age and fitness capabilities.
Tourist groups, who would be offered complimentary transfers from the centre of the city, would be able to choose from the three routes in twice-daily supervised tours starting at 8am and 1pm.
The standard course, the Ledge Walk, would take the average group of eight adventurers around four hours to complete. The middle, technical route – the Middle Path – would take around 3.5 hours and the higher, vertical route, Julphar Scare would take around 1.5 hours.
Source: travelnewsdigest.in