A 2025 milestone for the UAE’s nature-led emirate, with growth across key markets, events, and hotel development.

Hello Beauties,

Ras Al Khaimah has closed 2025 with another set of record results, reinforcing its position as the UAE’s most compelling nature-led destination. According to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the emirate welcomed 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025, representing a 6% increase year-on-year, alongside a 12% rise in tourism revenues.

Courtesy: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)

The headline numbers

RAKTDA’s 2025 results point to growth that is both broad and commercially meaningful: higher overnight visitation, stronger revenues, and increased performance in high-value segments such as MICE and weddings. The emirate’s MICE and wedding revenues rose by 25% in 2025, supported by premium weddings, international conferences, and incentive travel.

Where demand is accelerating

RAKTDA highlights strong momentum across domestic travel (+7%) and key international markets. Growth was reported from India (+14%), China (+19%), the United Kingdom (+10%), and Russia (+20%). Expanded direct air connectivity also supported notable increases from Romania (+41%), Poland (+22%), Uzbekistan (+19%), and Belarus (+26%).

A luxury hotel pipeline built for 2030

Hospitality development continues to underpin Ras Al Khaimah’s 2030 trajectory. In 2025, Rove Al Marjan Island and SO/ Ras Al Khaimah (part of Accor’s luxury portfolio) expanded the emirate’s beachfront and lifestyle offering. Looking ahead, major global brands have been announced for the destination, including Janu, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Taj, and NH Collection, supporting the stated goal to double hotel capacity by 2030.

Wynn Al Marjan Island reaches a major construction milestone

RAKTDA also notes significant progress at Wynn Al Marjan Island. The 70-storey tower has been completed to a height of 283 metres and is now moving into interior fit-out and façade works. The integrated resort is described as a USD 5.1 billion development planned to open in 2027, featuring 1,530 rooms and suites, 22 dining concepts, a theatre, luxury retail, and a marina, with a projected 9,000 jobs created.

Courtesy: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)

Events and destination energy

A strengthened calendar of signature events continues to build cultural relevance and international visibility. RAKTDA points to expanded programming across sport, art, endurance and destination-led conferences, including the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, the UAE Tour’s Jebel Jais stage, the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival, the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference, and the HIGHLANDER long-distance hiking challenge. The year concluded with a New Year’s Eve spectacle that achieved a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest multirotor-drone phoenix formation, created by 2,300 drones, followed by a six-kilometre fireworks display along the coast.

Courtesy: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)

Infrastructure, aviation, and premium access

Alongside hospitality and events, RAKTDA emphasises continued infrastructure investment and connectivity. 2025 saw new direct flight links added from multiple cities across Saudi Arabia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and the Czech Republic, supported by deeper airline partnerships. Plans were also referenced for a VIP terminal for private aviation at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, targeted for 2027 and aiming for LEED Gold certification. On the cruise side, a multi-year partnership with Celestyal Cruises is designed to increase cruise calls and position Ras Al Khaimah as a premium stop for smaller, experience-led ships.

Partnerships and a people-first approach

Strategic partnerships remained a stated growth driver throughout 2025, including new agreements with major online travel platforms in China and Saudi Arabia, and affiliation with invitation-only luxury travel networks such as Virtuoso and Serandipians by Traveller Made. Internally, RAKTDA highlights its people-first approach via the launch of the BeRAK app for tourism workforce engagement and the debut of the RAK Tourism Excellence Awards, recognising innovation across multiple categories.

For editors, investors, and travellers alike, Ras Al Khaimah’s 2025 performance reads as a clear signal: the emirate is scaling with intent — balancing hard infrastructure with experience, nature, and premium positioning.

xo

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