Ras Al Khaimah records highest-ever first half with 670,000 visitors as domestic travel surges

Ras Al Khaimah records highest-ever first half with 670,000 visitors as domestic travel surges

Ras Al Khaimah welcomed more than 670,000 visitors during the first half of 2026, marking the emirate's strongest six-month tourism performance on record as domestic demand surged amid regional disruption to international travel.

The result represented growth from the 654,000 visitors recorded in the same period last year, when the emirate achieved a 6% year-on-year increase. Domestic arrivals rose 47% in H1 2026 compared to the previous year, when domestic tourism had grown 7%, reflecting a sharp acceleration in demand from UAE residents seeking short-break destinations.

May 2026 emerged as the single strongest month in the emirate's tourism history. Hotel room rates remained broadly stable compared to 2025 levels, while the tourism sector maintained momentum despite challenges affecting international visitor flows across the Middle East.

Phillipa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said the emirate had remained resilient through a period that affected travel across the region. The record first half demonstrated Ras Al Khaimah's strength as a short-break destination, she added, with new hotels opening and anchor developments advancing at pace.

Domestic campaign drives hotel demand

The RAK Moments domestic tourism campaign generated 224,000 hotel room nights and Dh104.4 million in room revenue during the second quarter of 2026. The initiative brought an estimated 127,817 additional visitors to the emirate, representing a 67.1% increase from the same period in 2025.

RAKTDA promoted the campaign through partnerships with travel booking platforms including Wego, Expedia, Booking.com, Cleartrip, Almosafer and Yandex. The push helped offset reduced international arrivals during a period when regional tensions affected travel patterns across Gulf states.

In full-year 2025, Ras Al Khaimah had welcomed 1.35 million overnight visitors, a 6% year-on-year increase, with tourism revenues growing 12%. Key international source markets showed strong performance that year, with India up 14%, China up 19%, the UK up 10% and Russia up 20%.

Hotel pipeline expands coastal and mountain offer

Two hotels are scheduled to open in Ras Al Khaimah during the second half of 2026, expanding accommodation options across coastal and mountain locations.

Rotana Ras Al Khaimah The Mangroves is expected to begin operations during the third quarter with 258 rooms at Al Qawasim Corniche. The property will feature one of the emirate's largest pillar-free ballrooms, ten meeting rooms and an outdoor events area designed for conferences, weddings and social gatherings.

SAIJ Mountain Lodge by Mantis is scheduled to open on Jebel Jais during the fourth quarter, offering activities including guided treks, organic farming, beekeeping, stargazing and wellness experiences.

Renovation work continues at Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island, expected to reopen in the first quarter of 2027 with modernised rooms and refreshed interiors. Rooms and suites in the main building at Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah are also undergoing renovation, with completion expected during the fourth quarter of 2026.

The emirate currently operates approximately 8,500 hotel keys, with plans to double this capacity by 2030 to support tourism growth targets. MICE and weddings revenues grew 25% in 2025, reflecting the emirate's expanding position as a regional business events and destination wedding hub.

Wynn Al Marjan Island advances toward 2027 opening

Construction of Wynn Al Marjan Island continues ahead of its planned 2027 opening, with the $5.1 billion development expected to expand Ras Al Khaimah's appeal among international and premium leisure travellers while creating over 9,000 jobs.

The resort announced a partnership with immersive theatre company Punchdrunk to create its first production in the Middle East and North Africa. Guests will choose between a seated performance and an immersive experience allowing movement through areas behind the production.

Wynn has also announced several dining and entertainment concepts for the resort, which will contain 22 restaurants, lounges and bars. The line-up includes a steakhouse by chef Alain Ducasse and the first international branch of Delilah, the supper club concept operating at Wynn Las Vegas.

The development will be the UAE's first licensed commercial gaming resort, following the granting of the country's first commercial gaming operator license in 2024. The gaming floor will occupy approximately 225,000 square feet, representing about 4% of the total resort area.

Marjan advances coastal master development

Master developer Marjan is progressing several projects across the emirate, including the 85 million square foot Marjan Beach development. The master-planned coastal destination is set to include eight neighbourhoods, 22,000 residential units and 12,000 hotel rooms.

RAK Central Square, the emirate's first Grade A office development, had completed major structural works and reached 25% overall construction by June. The five-building project is scheduled to open during the fourth quarter of 2027, with offices, retail outlets and restaurants planned within the wider RAK Central development.

S&P Global forecasts the emirate's GDP growth will accelerate from 3.3% in 2025-2026 to 4.3% in 2027-2028, driven by tourism, real estate, manufacturing and mining sectors. Ras Al Khaimah's gross domestic product reached $13 billion in 2025 following economic growth of 4.3%.

Transport and aviation infrastructure expands

Work continues on a new VVIP terminal at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport through a partnership with Falcon Executive Aviation. The terminal is expected to open in early 2027 and will serve private aviation and luxury travellers as new hotels and Wynn Al Marjan Island begin operations. Duty Free Americas has been appointed to manage the airport's travel retail offering.

Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority is developing three transit stations to improve connections between city routes, intercity services and tourism destinations around Al Marjan Island. Commercial autonomous shuttle services are expected to begin later in 2026 following an earlier pilot programme.

Skyports is targeting the start of air taxi operations from 2027, with Al Marjan Island planned as the first location in a network connecting Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai. A cooperation agreement between RAKTA and the Dubai Maritime Authority will seek to facilitate movement of yachts and leisure boats between the two emirates.

Adventure tourism offer expands

Ras Al Khaimah is preparing to introduce an astronaut training programme during the second half of 2026 through an agreement between Action Flight Aviation and BLINC Space. The programme will include G-force training through aerobatic flights, zero-gravity parabolic flights, advanced freefall and parachuting experiences aimed at commercial spaceflight preparation and visitors seeking high-end adventure activities.

The emirate is seeking to attract 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.