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Ras Al Khaimah saw a record high of over 1.13 million overnight visitors in 2022, according to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). This number exceeds the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
“From January’s announcement of the multibillion-dollar integrated Wynn resort to securing two Guinness World Record titles for our New Year’s Eve fireworks and drone display, we have shown just how dynamic we are as a destination,” said Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “Our success has been led by our agility and responsiveness – and the fact we think like a community, shaping our experiences to appeal to visitors and residents.”
Positive December performance
The full-year figures for Ras Al Khaimah’s visitor arrivals in 2022 followed a strong December, in which the emirate saw its highest-ever number of visitors in one month, with over 128,000 arrivals, a 23% increase compared to December 2021. This was due in part to the emirate’s record-breaking New Year’s Eve fireworks and drone display, which set two Guinness World Records titles. The event attracted over 30,000 visitors and resulted in fully booked hotels and public events across the emirate, making it the most popular show to date.
Environmental and social responsibility plan
Ras Al Khaimah’s new approach to sustainability, called Balanced Tourism, aims to make the emirate a regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) plans to award more than 20 businesses with tourism certifications in the first year, with the goal of receiving the internationally recognized “Sustainable Tourism Destination” certificate in 2023.
Promoting international tourism
In 2022, Ras Al Khaimah experienced a 40% rise in international visitors, with significant numbers coming from Kazakhstan, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Czech Republic. This growth was the result of collaborations with airlines and major tour operators to reach emerging and expanding source markets. Additionally, the emirate received three luxury cruises in 2022, welcoming over 2,500 passengers and crew.
Increasing the growth and development of the tourism and hospitality industry
In 2022, several new hotels and resorts opened in Ras Al Khaimah, resulting in a 17% increase in the emirate’s inventory to reach over 8,000 keys. This included the debut of Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Mövenpick, and Radisson brands in the destination, with the opening of the InterContinental Mina Al Arab, Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, and the Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island.
Ras Al Khaimah has 19 upcoming properties in the pipeline, featuring international brands such as Marriott, Millennium, Anantara, and Sofitel, which will add 5,867 keys to the inventory over the next few years, representing a 70% increase compared to the current inventory. A major addition to this is the multi-billion dollar integrated resort development with Wynn Resorts in 2026, which was announced early last year. This multipurpose integrated resort is the largest foreign direct investment of its kind in Ras Al Khaimah and will feature over 1,000 rooms, shopping, meeting and convention facilities, spa, more than 10 restaurants and lounges, various entertainment options and a gaming area.
