Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced that the worlds longest and highest zip line will officially open on the UAEs highest peak, Jebel Jais, in December 2017.
With the exact length of the zip line remaining a closely-guarded secret until the multi-million dollar adventure tourism products opening, the zip line will propel the UAEs most northern emirate into the major leagues of global adventure tourism, and cement Jebel Jais as the regions leading active adventure tourism destination.
Haitham Mattar, CEO of RAKTDA, commented: Building on the success of last years launch of the Jebel Jais Via Ferrata adventure product, the new zip line represents Ras Al Khaimahs most significant tourism product opening since Al Marjan Island, our coral-shaped leisure tourism archipelago. This key product launch will further enhance Ras Al Khaimahs unique mountain-beach-desert offering, as the emirate moves towards its goal of attracting one million visitors next year, under the guidance and vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
RAKTDA has partnered with Toro Verde, the worlds leading zip line operator to develop its latest active adventure tourism product, which is due to break the current Guinness world record zip line of 2,200 metres held by ‘The Monster’ in Puerto Rico, a site also developed and operated by Toro Verde. The Ras Al Khaimah zip line will also be a case study for eco-tourism, using solar energy and locally-sourced natural materials ensuring visitors enjoy the natural experience in the emirates mountain landscape.
Jorge Jorge, CEO of Toro Verde Ras Al Khaimah, said: Jebel Jais dramatic and beautiful landscape offers an iconic backdrop for what will be a bucket list experience for people all around the world. The mountains also provide a strong and very challenging base for construction and through our experience and the expertise of our team, we are already making good progress.
Ricardo Lizano, COO of Toro Verde Ras Al Khaimah, added: Opening within the heart of the UAEs highest and most iconic natural mountain range, the Jebel Jais zip line experience will consist of two lines, allowing friends and family to take part in the flight together. On arrival at the welcome centre, which features a lounge, restaurant, lockers, equipment storage and offices, participants will be given a pre-briefing and then escorted to the launch platform, and fitted with a special suit and equipment for this adventure.
It was revealed that the currently unnamed zip line will be longer than 28 soccer fields in length. The zip line will be open to all ages, providing participants meet required minimum weight of 35kg and maximum weight of 150kg, and a minimum height of 120cm.
Expecting to attract a high-end clientele, a dedicated VIP lounge and welcome centre will provide an enhanced experience. In addition to private parking and the option to fast track their zip line flight, a helicopter transfer will be available, flying guests from Ras Al Khaimahs pristine coast line, taking in the views of the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains from above.
Mattar further explained the workings: This zip line will be like no other experience out there. Once harnessed to the zip line in a horizontal superhero position, participants will soar through the sky as if theyre a bird. Its the closest you can get to the experience of flying. The flight will take them to a suspended landing platform where they will be transferred to a second line to complete their journey back to the ground. In its first phase of operations, the zip line will be able to accommodate 250 people a day, thats 100,000 in a year. Nothing like this exists in the world let alone this region it is a true first for Ras Al Khaimah and adds another amazing attraction to the UAEs diverse tourism portfolio.
In line with RAKTDAs commitment to sustainability as a sponsor of the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017, construction of the zip line and its supporting structures and facilities have been designed to have a positive impact on the environment. Local expertise and materials have also been sourced where possible, with the addition of utilising environmentally friendly resources in specific areas of the site, such as LED lighting and photo-voltaic fabric materials, that will allow for the generation of clean energy for operations.
The zip line will open in the first week of December, and will be one of several eco-friendly products on Jebel Jais, the UAEs highest peak, which is set to become the adventure tourism hub of the Middle East.