Ras Al Khaimah records 6% YoY increase with 1.35 Mn overnight visitors in 2025
SO Hotel, Ras Al Khaimah_Representative Image
India emerged as a high-growth source market, recording +14% YoY growth; alongside strong gains from the UK (+10%), China (+19%) and Russia (+20%)
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announces results for the Emirate, welcoming 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025 – a 6% year-on-year increase – alongside a 12% growth in tourism revenues.
Phillipa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, commented: “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.”
Key highlights from 2025 include, growth was recorded across both domestic (+7%) and key international markets, with increased arrivals from India (+14%), China (+19%), the United Kingdom (+10%) and Russia (+20%). Expanded direct air connectivity also enabled significant visitor growth from Romania (+41%), Poland (+22%), Uzbekistan (+19%), and Belarus (+26%); Additionally, MICE and Weddings revenues grew by 25% in 2025; and Phillipa Harrison got appointment as CEO of RAKTDA.
Ras Al Khaimah, in 2025, launched Rove Al Marjan Island and SO/ Ras Al Khaimah, the latter under the Accor portfolio of luxury brands. The development pipeline was further strengthened with announcements from luxury brands including Janu, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Taj and NH Collection, supporting Ras Al Khaimah’s goal to double hotel keys by 2030.
Meanwhile, Wynn Al Marjan Island, the UAE’s first integrated resort, upon opening in 2027, the USD 5.1 billion destination resort will feature 1,530 rooms and suites, 22 F&B venues, a theatre, luxury retail, and a marina, and is set to become the Emirate’s tallest structure. It is expected to create over 9,000 jobs and is said to catalyse a new wave of international tourism to Ras Al Khaimah.
2025 marked the unveiling of Marjan Beach, spanning 85 million sq. ft., it will feature 12,000 hotel keys and 22,000 residential units, with 30% of the area dedicated to open green space and a sustainability-first urban design.
Ras Al Khaimah’s growing profile as a cultural and sporting hub was further strengthened in 2025 through events like the 18th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon that attracted over 10,000 participants and spectators; The UAE Tour also returned for its 7th consecutive Jebel Jais Mountain Stage; while adventure tourism continued to gain traction with the return of HIGHLANDER.
On the cultural and business events front, the 13th Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival brought together over 100 regional and international artists, the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference returned to Ras Al Khaimah for the second running drawing global event planners to the Emirate, and the inaugural International Real Estate Investment Summit (IREIS) reinforced Ras Al Khaimah’s growing profile as a platform for high-level investment dialogue.
The year culminated in a 15-minute New Year’s Eve celebration, setting a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD title for the ‘Largest aerial display of a phoenix formed by multirotors/drones’, with 2,300 drones illuminating the sky, followed by a six-kilometre fireworks display along the coastline.
Expanded air and cruise connectivity continued to open new access channels to Ras Al Khaimah in 2025. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport launched new direct routes from Saudi Arabia (Jeddah), Poland (Warsaw and Katowice), Romania (Bucharest), Russia (Moscow, Kazan and Yekaterinburg), Belarus (Minsk), Uzbekistan (Tashkent), and the Czech Republic (Prague), supported by strengthened airline partnerships with IndiGo, Air India Express and Air Arabia. Plans were also unveiled for a LEED Gold–targeted VIP Terminal, set to open in 2027, enhancing the Emirate’s appeal to premium and private aviation travellers.
At sea, Ras Al Khaimah strengthened its premium cruise offering through a new multi-year partnership with Celestyal Cruises.
Partnerships remained central to Ras Al Khaimah’s destination growth in 2025. RAKTDA signed MoUs with leading OTAs including Trip.com and Tongcheng in China, as well as Fursan Travel, Almatar and Wego in Saudi Arabia, unlocking new distribution channels across priority markets. The Emirate also strengthened its luxury positioning by joining two invitation-only travel networks – Virtuoso and Serandipians by Traveller Made.
In 2025, RAKTDA launched the BeRAK app, a first-of-its-kind platform designed to enhance wellbeing and engagement among tourism sector employees. Celebrating excellence across the industry, the Authority hosted the inaugural RAK Tourism Excellence Awards, recognising innovation and leadership across six categories, from culinary creativity to environmental responsibility.
