The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reported its strongest year ever in 2024, welcoming a record-high 1.28 million overnight arrivals, marking a 12 percent growth in tourism revenues and a notable 15 percent rise in MICE visitors.
This success is in line with the emirate’s vision to attract over 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030.
Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “2024 was a milestone year for Ras Al Khaimah, showcasing our commitment to sustainability, enhanced connectivity, and diverse experiences tailored to every traveller. Looking ahead, our vision extends beyond attracting more visitors. We aim to position Ras Al Khaimah as a destination of the future. With significant investments, world-class events, and groundbreaking developments on the horizon, 2025 is set to be another remarkable year.”
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Several factors contributed to this robust performance in 2024, including the opening of new hotels and resorts, a growing calendar of international events, increased connectivity to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, best-in-class marketing campaigns and over 2,200 international activities and market engagements across 70 cities.
Key 2024 achievements
The year 2024 saw enhanced connectivity with the introduction of new direct flights to Ras Al Khaimah from key cities in Poland, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Romania, Czech Republic, Russia, Saudi Arabia and India.
The emirate also expanded its hospitality offerings with the opening of Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort and Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort.
Ras Al Khaimah residents and visitors also witnessed record-breaking New Year’s Eve celebrations. The emirate ushered in 2025 with a spectacular fireworks and drone display, setting two new Guinness World Records titles: ‘Largest aerial display of a tree formed by multi-rotor drones’ and ‘Largest aerial image of a seashell formed by drone’.
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For the fourth consecutive year, RAKTDA was certified as a Great Place to Work, recognized in multiple categories: ‘Best Workplaces in the Middle East’, ‘Best Workplaces in Hospitality in the GCC’, and ‘Best Workplaces for Women in the GCC’.
Driving growth in key markets
Ras Al Khaimah continues to diversify and expand its reach in both established and emerging markets, with the CIS, GCC, Europe, India and China remaining core to its strategy. In 2024, the emirate achieved new milestones in market engagement, further solidifying its position as a global tourism destination.
New direct flights introduced enhanced connectivity to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport from nine cities including Moscow, Russia; Bucharest, Romania; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Prague, Czech Republic; Warsaw and Katowice, Poland; Almaty, Kazakhstan; and Hyderabad, India.
Expanding hospitality portfolio
Ras Al Khaimah’s flourishing tourism sector is underpinned by its strategic focus on building a diverse hospitality portfolio with a well-balanced mix of internationally branded luxury hotels and family-friendly resorts. In 2024, the emirate welcomed two new luxury properties, further establishing its reputation as a destination of choice. Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort, featuring the emirate’s first overwater villas, and the Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort opened their doors, adding to Ras Al Khaimah’s world-class hospitality portfolio.
Additionally, existing properties underwent transformative enhancements. Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Pullman Marjan Island were rebranded and upgraded to meet the highest standards of hospitality, offering visitors elevated experiences.
