Nestled in the northern tip of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a gem of an emirate boasting a treasure trove of Arabian experiences: Ras Al Khaimah. Attracting over a million visitors last year, the emirate is quickly becoming a hot tourist destination for domestic and global travelers alike. And with more hotels, resorts and attractions on the horizon, Ras Al Khaimah is set to shine even brighter.
Speaking to Economy Middle East, Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), dissects the emirate’s booming tourism sector. He discusses strategic partnerships and how the RAKTDA is boosting its efforts to advance sustainability and introduce innovative tourist experiences.
Ras Al Khaimah welcomed 1.22 million visitors in 2023, an 8 percent year-on-year growth. What are your projections for 2024?
2024 is shaping up to be another great year for Ras Al Khaimah. Much of its tourism success is owed to strategic partnerships and the growing range of experiences available.
In January 2024, the destination welcomed Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort, which offers 174 rooms, suites and villas, including the Emirate’s first overwater villas. Additionally, the iconic Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah reopened following an extensive refurbishment, revealing revamped rooms and suites, new culinary experiences and reimagined wellness and events spaces. Strategic partnerships such as our collaboration with Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) to facilitate cross-destination tourism between the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and the Governorate of Musandam are also part of our plan to boost visitor numbers. Together, we have launched the “See Double” campaign, our first joint promotion at ITB Berlin, to entice visitors to explore both destinations in one experience-packed trip this summer.
With this, Ras Al Khaimah is firmly on the path to continued success in 2024 and beyond. In fact, we have recorded a 5.6 percent growth of international visitors in Q1 2024 over the same three-month period last year.
How has the steady expansion of Ras Al Khaimah Airport helped boost international tourist numbers in the emirate?
The ongoing expansion of Ras Al Khaimah Airport has played a crucial role in boosting international tourist numbers by increasing accessibility and connectivity, accommodating larger aircraft, and enhancing the overall travel experience, attracting more visitors from around the world. This expansion is strategically linked to the wider initiative of increasing airlift to Ras Al Khaimah through operator and airline partnerships.
2023 saw the launch of various direct flights to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport with charter operators, including SmartWings from Katowice, Poland; CentrumAir from Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Smart Lynx from Munich, Germany, stimulating inbound traffic from these source markets. Additionally, IndiGo’s introduction of a direct service from Hyderabad, adding to its direct Mumbai flight, also helped accelerate arrivals growth from India, a major tourism source market for Ras Al Khaimah.
The Emirate offers some of the best adventure tourism opportunities, such as the zipline, Bear Grylls explorer camp and the sky tour. What new attractions are you planning this year?
We will be unveiling a series of new experiences that blend adventure with eco-consciousness. This includes Jais Wings — the region’s first dedicated paragliding site — Via Ferrata, a new rock-climbing experience, and mountaineering routes. We’ll also be launching a new sustainable accommodation offering — Saij, A Mantis Collection Mountain Lodge — which will comprise 70 luxury lodges that will provide a pure mountain retreat.
In 2023, RAKTDA received the Silver Certification under EarthCheck’s Sustainable Destinations program. How does a booming tourist destination ensure it is constantly meeting its sustainability goals?
We ensure this by taking a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, ongoing collaboration with organizations like EarthCheck is crucial. By maintaining partnerships with sustainability experts, destinations can stay abreast of best practices and continuously improve their environmental, social, and economic impact. Ras Al Khaimah’s EarthCheck Sustainable Destination Silver Certification in 2023 exemplifies the benefits of such collaborations, showcasing advancements in energy efficiency, waste management, and greenhouse gas reduction.
Secondly, implementing a robust sustainability certification program, such as Responsible RAK, is key to ensuring that hotels, attractions, and tour operators adhere to sustainable practices. This not only encourages responsible behavior but also provides a mechanism for regulatory oversight and alignment with international sustainability standards, setting a benchmark for the entire tourism sector.
Over the long haul, we have applied a mindful approach to new hotel developments, consulting with hospitality partners to ensure thoughtful development and a measured pipeline to avoid rapid, less well-planned expansion. Furthermore, it is essential to prioritize holistic development that integrates environmental protection, cultural conservation, and community engagement into all aspects of tourism planning and execution. By going beyond basic measures like recycling and single-use plastic reduction, destinations can make meaningful progress towards sustainability goals while also enhancing the overall visitor experience.
What are some of the new hotel and infrastructure projects being planned in the Emirate to cater to the booming tourist demand?
Ras Al Khaimah is becoming a premier tourist hotspot, offering a wide range of hospitality experiences. Currently, the Emirate offers an impressive portfolio of 54 properties, with over 8,000 rooms available for guests and an additional 7,000-plus keys in development.
In 2023, several new hospitality projects were announced, including Nobu Hotels, Le Méridien, W Hotels, JW Marriott & Hilton on Al Marjan Island, in addition to Nikki Beach on Mina Al Arab, representing over 1,800 keys in total. Design details of the $3.9 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island were also revealed. The integrated resort will attract a new segment of travelers with approximately 1,500 lavishly styled rooms, suites and villas, a wide array of entertainment options, a gaming area, 24 dining and lounge experiences, innovative spa and wellness experiences, a high-end shopping complex, a state-of-the-art events center, a theater hosting a unique production show, and other amenities.
Upcoming hotel projects scheduled to open in 2024 include Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort, which will open this Spring with 292 keys, and The Westin Resort, which will add 257 keys. Both are aimed at affluent travelers. Additionally, we are anticipating the opening of Rove Al Marjan Island, a contemporary 441-room beach property in the midscale segment that will cater to the new generation of budget-conscious travelers.
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