A series of high-profile events are lined up to be hosted in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates in the UAE. On the list are the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference (EWPC), the Global Citizen Forum’s acclaimed annual summit and the Arab Aviation Summit for a second year following the success of the previous edition, alongside a number of large destination wedding groups in 2022.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) will host 11th edition of the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference (EWPC), that will take place at Al Hamra Conference Centre from March 1 – 3, 2023. The three-day event will bring together top-class wedding planners, hospitality vendors, tourism boards, travel experts and wedding suppliers from around the world in a single, comprehensive platform for event organisers, says a press release issued by RAKTDA.

Building on the success of previous events, the first two days of the in-person conference is designed to create an open marketplace of profound learning, collaborative business set-ups, engaging discussion sessions, stellar line-up of speakers and dazzling array of entertainment, says the press statement. The final day of the conference will feature the APEX Awards, highlighting outstanding talents, commendable initiatives and hard work of those in the destination wedding industry.

The statement adds that delegates will be able to experience one of the most diverse and naturally beautiful destinations in the region themselves, with the Emirate’s wide variety of unique venues and experiences stretching across stunning terracotta dunes, breath-taking mountains and pristine beaches. Combined with an extensive hospitality offering and close proximity to Europe, Asia and Africa, Ras Al Khaimah is perfectly placed to host all types of weddings and celebrations, cementing its reputation as a destination wedding hub.

“The weddings sector is a key growth area for Ras Al Khaimah, and we are thrilled to be welcoming the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference to our nature emirate. With our natural topography, world-class hospitality brands and seamless infrastructure, Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most sought-after destinations, perfectly suited for the weddings and the MICE sector. We look forward to showcasing our destination to wedding experts and demonstrating why Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect exotic wedding destination,” says Iyad Rasbey, executive director, Destination Tourism Development at RAKTDA.

“We are excited to bring EWPC back to RAK in 2023 after nine editions across the globe and bring 350+ destination wedding planners from 50 different countries this time. It appears to be the wedding business is back in full swing with businesses fitting in two years worth of postponed events into already-busy peak months. We look forward to making this the most successful edition & the largest B2B wedding convention event till date,” says Rishikesh Shetty, CEO of Exito and EWPC.

Global Citizen Forum heads to Ras Al Khaimah

Another major event lined up in the Emirate, to be held under the patronage of Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and in partnership with RAKTDA, the Global Citizen Forum’s Annual Summit trilogy returns in November 2022 with another exceptionally curated programme aimed to bridge the world’s most pressing challenges with opportunities for global solutions.

Last year’s edition brought together over 400 guests from 38 countries, including actress, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and GCF Awardee Eva Longoria; President of Colombia Iván Duque Márquez; Vice President of Liberia Jewel Taylor; former Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi; Grammy-nominated singer and performer Nicole Scherzinger; international DJ and producer Afrojack; and former FBI hostage negotiator and Masterclass coach Chris Voss.

While the GCF’s Annual Summit was originally known for being hosted in different parts of the world, the decision to anchor its mission in Ras Al Khaimah was an intuitive commitment to both leverage and contribute to the emirate’s regional and global impact, while maintaining a strong focus on building a lasting legacy within its diverse community.

“Hosting the Global Citizen Forum’s Annual Summit for the next three years is a crucial step in our tourism vision for a globally connected and sustainable future,” says Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA. “Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect backdrop for the Summit given its outlook on environmental, cultural and economic sustainability — a vision that we call Balanced Tourism,” he adds.

“It is a pivotal time in history where igniting human potential on a global scale is the key to solving some of the biggest challenges,” says Talimka Yordanova, CEO of Global Citizen Forum. “Ras Al Khaimah is not just a place, it’s a journey — and we look forward to marking the start of such a powerful movement where the commitment to build a sustainable world is embedded within the region’s DNA,” adds Yordanova.