Ras Al Khaimah just posted its strongest tourism year on record, and 2026 is already looking like it has no plans to slow down. According to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the emirate welcomed 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025, a 6% increase from the previous year, while tourism revenues jumped 12% in the same period. For an emirate that many travellers only recently started paying attention to, those numbers say a lot.
The Numbers Behind RAK’s Tourism Surge
The 2025 figures tell a wider story than raw visitor counts. MICE and wedding revenues grew by 25%, making RAK a proper regional destination for conferences, incentive programmes, and destination weddings. International arrivals were notably strong: India was up 14%, China up 19%, the UK up 10%, Russia up 20%, and Romania up 41%. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport launched new direct routes from Saudi Arabia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and the Czech Republic, making the emirate significantly more accessible to travellers who had not previously considered it.
In August 2025, Phillipa Harrison, formerly CEO of Tourism Australia, was appointed as the new CEO of RAKTDA, signalling a clear intent to take the emirate’s global positioning to a new level.
New Hotels, Big Brands, Bigger Ambitions
The hotel pipeline in Ras Al Khaimah got a serious upgrade in 2025. Rove Al Marjan Island and SO/ Ras Al Khaimah, part of the Accor luxury portfolio, both opened during the year, adding more lifestyle and beachfront options to an already growing offering. Global names such as Janu, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Taj, and NH Collection all announced future developments, with the emirate aiming to double its hotel keys by 2030.
The most anticipated project remains Wynn Al Marjan Island, a USD 5.1 billion resort whose 70-storey tower topped out at 283 metres in 2025. Set for a 2027 opening, the resort will feature more than 1,500 rooms and suites, 22 dining venues, a theatre, luxury retail, and a marina.
What RAK Is Planning for 2026 and the Road to 2030
RAKTDA has set a target of 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030, and the investment to get there is already well underway. Marjan Beach, unveiled in 2025, is an 85 million sq ft beachfront masterplan featuring 12,000 hotel keys and 22,000 residential units, with sustainability embedded into its design. RAK Central, a new mixed-use commercial district, sold out all commercial plots within a year of launch.
The emirate also closed out 2025 with a standout moment, setting a Guinness World Record on New Year’s Eve for the largest aerial display by multirotors, with 2,300 drones and a six-kilometre fireworks stretch along the coastline.
Why Travellers Are Now Choosing RAK
For anyone planning a Gulf trip, this growth translates to tangible options that simply were not there two years ago. More dining concepts, new events, and a wider range of hotels mean the emirate is actually a different proposition. The RAK Half Marathon drew more than 10,000 participants in 2025, and signature events including the UAE Tour’s Jebel Jais stage, the RAK Art Festival, and the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference strengthened the annual calendar.
Domestic tourism was also up 7%, and in April 2026 alone, domestic visitor numbers jumped 93%, suggesting the local market is fully tuned in to what RAK has to offer.
The Verdict
The 2025 numbers are out, and Ras Al Khaimah has officially put the rest of the Gulf on notice. With the Wynn resort opening in 2027, new hotels from some of the biggest names in hospitality on the way, and a 2030 target that would more than double current visitor numbers, this emirate is not a destination to sleep on anymore.
Cover Image: AI-Generated for Illustration Purposes
