MUMBAI: From the Queen’s land to the land of dunes, Vishal Bhatia is ready to chart new trails. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has appointed travel industry veteran Vishal Bhatia as India market director, a strategic move to turbocharge the emirate’s presence in one of its most promising source markets. Based in Mumbai, Bhatia will drive the destination’s operations and outreach in India, aiming to make Ras Al Khaimah the top-of-mind escape for everything from luxury leisure to dreamy desert weddings.

Bhatia brings with him over two decades of experience, including an impactful stint as country manager at VisitBritain, where he helped shape the UK’s India tourism gameplan. Now, he’s turning his attention to the sun-kissed beaches and rugged mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, a destination already climbing the charts among Indian holidaymakers.

RAKTDA vice president for destination tourism development Iyad Rasbey said, “Vishal’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as we continue to see strong growth from India. With his deep understanding of the market and relevant expertise, he will support our efforts to enhance Ras Al Khaimah’s appeal among Indian travellers as a year- round destination. He will also play a key role in tapping into the destination wedding segment, which continues to show promising potential for the Emirate.”

Commenting on his new role, Bhatia said, “Joining RAKTDA presents a meaningful opportunity to build on the growing interest Ras Al Khaimah is receiving from India. My focus will be on strengthening trade and consumer engagement, increasing awareness across key cities, and unlocking opportunities across diverse segments. I look forward to contributing to the next phase of growth from this important market.”

The appointment also underlines RAKTDA’s sustained investment in high-growth markets like India and its intent to tap deeper into segments like destination weddings, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), and experiential travel.

With Bhatia at the helm, Ras Al Khaimah’s India strategy now has a seasoned navigator steering the ship, one that’s already setting sail for stronger tourism ties and record-breaking footfalls.