Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced a strong performance in the first half of 2025, with more than 654,000 visitors, marking a 6% increase from the previous year.
Tourism revenue also saw a 9% rise, reflecting the emirate’s growing appeal as a travel destination.
Visitor growth and revenue increase
In the first six months of 2025, Ras Al Khaimah saw its highest-ever visitor arrivals for the period. Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, commented on the milestone, highlighting the strategic investments in air connectivity, hotel developments, and diverse tourism experiences. “We are firmly on track to welcome over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, while delivering long-term, sustainable value,” Phillips said.
Key international markets driving growth included Romania (+65%), Poland (+56%), Uzbekistan (+47%), and Belarus (+30%). Additionally, the emirate saw strong growth from established markets such as India (+25%), China (+9.2%), Russia (+7%), and the UK (+5%).
Hotel developments and infrastructure
To support its growing tourism sector, Ras Al Khaimah is expanding its hospitality offerings. The emirate is set to double its hotel capacity by 2030, with several high-profile developments underway. These include the Fairmont Al Marjan Island (250 keys), Four Seasons Resort at Mina Al Arab (150 keys), Taj Wellington Mews Al Marjan Island (336 apartments), and NH Collection Ras Al Khaimah (156 keys). The opening of Rove Al Marjan Island also adds further variety to the region’s accommodation options.
Ras Al Khaimah’s airport continues to boost connectivity with new direct flight routes from major cities like Warsaw, Katowice, Bucharest, Moscow, Tashkent, and Prague. Plans are also in place to expand the airport’s capacity and enhance the overall travel experience.
Strategic partnerships and digital innovation
RAKTDA has also formalized key strategic partnerships aimed at promoting the destination. Collaborations with Fujairah Adventures will provide visitors with inter-emirate itineraries, while partnerships with online travel agencies in China and Saudi Arabia are expected to drive more inbound tourism.
In line with its digital transformation goals, RAKTDA has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Huawei and the Web3 platform Open World to introduce smart tourism and blockchain-based visitor services.
Major events and outdoor tourism
Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a hub for outdoor tourism was reinforced with several large-scale events. The emirate hosted its largest-ever Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, attracting over 10,000 participants. Other notable events included the 7th UAE Tour Jebel Jais stage, the 4th Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour, and the HIGHLANDER hiking adventure. The debut of the 25km Jais Ride cycling challenge further solidified Ras Al Khaimah’s growing reputation for sports tourism.
With continued growth in both visitor numbers and tourism revenue, Ras Al Khaimah is on track to meet its ambitious goals for the coming years.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
