Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced another record-breaking year, welcoming 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025 — a 6% year-on-year increase — alongside a 12% rise in tourism revenues.

The strong performance was driven by milestones across events, infrastructure, investment, partnerships and sustainability. Key highlights included solid growth across major source markets such as the CIS, UK, India, China, and Central and Eastern Europe, with notable increases from Romania, Poland, Uzbekistan and Belarus, supported by expanded direct air connectivity. MICE and weddings revenues rose by 25%, reflecting the emirate’s growing appeal as a regional hub for business events and destination weddings.

Phillipa Harrison, CEO of RAKTDA, said, “2025 has been a landmark year for Ras Al Khaimah. The emirate has grown not just in numbers, but in the depth and breadth of its offering – from signature events and new hotels to stronger global partnerships and steady growth in visitor arrivals. As we look ahead to 2030, we’re more committed than ever to shaping tourism that delivers long-term value for visitors, investors and our community.”

The year also marked the appointment of Phillipa Harrison as CEO of RAKTDA in August 2025, bringing with her extensive experience leading Australia’s national tourism strategy. Her appointment reinforces Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to transformational destination growth and its ambition to exceed 3.5 million visitors by 2030.

Ras Al Khaimah continued to diversify its hospitality offering with the opening of Rove Al Marjan Island and SO/ Ras Al Khaimah, expanding its portfolio of lifestyle and luxury hotels. Global brands including Janu, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Taj and NH Collection also announced new developments, supporting the emirate’s goal to double hotel keys by 2030.

Construction on Wynn Al Marjan Island — the UAE’s first integrated resort — reached a major milestone as its 70-storey tower topped out at 283 metres. The $5.1 billion project, set to open in 2027, will feature 1,530 rooms and suites, 22 dining venues, a theatre, luxury retail, and a marina. It is expected to create more than 9,000 jobs and significantly enhance the emirate’s global profile and high-end appeal.

A new generation of master-planned developments also advanced in 2025. Marjan Beach, spanning 85 million square feet, was unveiled as the UAE’s most ambitious beachfront masterplan, featuring 12,000 hotel keys, 22,000 residential units, and 30% green open spaces. Meanwhile, RAK Central, a new mixed-use commercial district designed to attract global talent and investors, achieved a major milestone as all commercial plots sold out within a year of launch.

Ras Al Khaimah’s growing reputation as a cultural and sporting hub was reinforced by an active events calendar. The 18th Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon attracted over 10,000 participants, the UAE Tour returned for its seventh Jebel Jais stage, and the RAK Art Festival and Exotic Wedding Planning Conference drew global audiences. The year concluded with a spectacular 15-minute New Year’s Eve celebration that set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest aerial display of a phoenix formed by multirotors, with 2,300 drones and a six-kilometre fireworks display along the coastline.

Expanded air and cruise connectivity further supported tourism growth. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport launched new direct routes from Saudi Arabia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and the Czech Republic, alongside plans for a LEED Gold–targeted VIP terminal set to open in 2027. The emirate also entered a multi-year partnership with Celestyal Cruises to strengthen its presence in the regional cruise market.

Strategic partnerships with global travel networks and platforms such as Virtuoso, Serandipians, Huawei, Trip.com, Tongcheng, Fursan Travel, Almatar, and Wego helped expand Ras Al Khaimah’s reach across key markets and reinforce its positioning as a luxury destination.

Underscoring its people-first approach, RAKTDA launched BeRAK, a workforce engagement app to enhance employee wellbeing, and hosted the inaugural RAK Tourism Excellence Awards recognising innovation across the industry. The authority was also named ‘Employer of the Year – Government Sector’ at the GCC GOV HR & Youth Awards, reflecting its belief that exceptional visitor experiences begin with empowered teams.