Ras Al Khaimah welcomed more than 670,000 visitors in the first half of 2026, recording its strongest first-half tourism performance in history despite regional geopolitical disruptions that affected international travel.
According to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the emirate’s tourism sector remained resilient, supported by strong domestic demand. Domestic visitor arrivals increased by 47% year-on-year, helping the destination achieve record performance during the first six months of the year.
May 2026 also became the best-performing month in the destination’s history. Despite the challenging regional travel environment, Ras Al Khaimah maintained its Average Daily Rate (ADR) at levels comparable to those recorded in 2025.
Hospitality Sector Continues Rapid Expansion
Ras Al Khaimah is continuing to expand its hospitality infrastructure as it works towards its long-term goal of attracting 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030. Among the major upcoming developments is Rotana Ras Al Khaimah – The Mangroves, which is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2026 and will add 258 rooms to the emirate’s accommodation capacity.
SAIJ Mountain Lodge by Mantis, which will become the first mountain lodge on Jebel Jais, is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026. The project is expected to strengthen the emirate’s adventure and nature tourism offering. Existing properties, including Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island and Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah, are also undergoing refurbishment as the destination continues to enhance the quality and diversity of its hospitality portfolio.
Wynn Al Marjan Island Remains on Track for 2027 Opening
The development of Wynn Al Marjan Island remains on schedule for an anticipated opening in 2027. The integrated resort has announced a partnership with immersive theatre company Punchdrunk and is also preparing new dining concepts as part of its wider development plans. The project is expected to become a major anchor development for Ras Al Khaimah and significantly strengthen the emirate’s appeal among international travellers.
Airport Expansion and New Connectivity Projects
Beyond hotel and resort development, Ras Al Khaimah is also investing heavily in transport infrastructure and international connectivity. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is progressing with the development of a new VVIP terminal, which is expected to open in early 2027. The airport has also appointed Duty Free Americas as its travel retail partner.
The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) is advancing a range of smart mobility initiatives, including new transit stations, autonomous shuttle services and other technology-driven transport solutions. Plans are also underway for air taxi operations in partnership with Skyports, with services expected to begin from 2027. A cooperation agreement between RAKTA and the Dubai Maritime Authority is also expected to improve yacht movement and maritime connectivity between Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai.
New Astronaut Training Programme to Expand Experiential Tourism
Ras Al Khaimah is also expanding its tourism offering beyond traditional leisure and adventure experiences. A new astronaut training programme developed by Action Flight Aviation and BLINC Space is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026. The initiative is expected to add a unique space-related experience to the emirate’s growing portfolio of experiential tourism products and further diversify its appeal to international visitors.
Major Urban and Waterfront Developments Underway
Master developer Marjan continues to work on major projects, including Marjan Beach and RAK Central Square. These developments are expected to contribute to the emirate’s wider tourism and urban development strategy by creating new attractions, leisure facilities, commercial areas and hospitality opportunities. Together with major resort and infrastructure projects, the developments are expected to support Ras Al Khaimah’s ambition of attracting 3.5 million visitors each year by 2030.
Tourism Authority Highlights Destination’s Resilience
Phillipa Harrison, CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said the destination had demonstrated resilience during a period that affected international travel across the region. She said the record first-half performance reflected Ras Al Khaimah’s strength as a short-break destination. According to Harrison, the opening of new hotels and the rapid progress of major anchor developments are creating strong momentum for the emirate’s next phase of tourism growth.
Strong Foundation for Future Tourism Growth
The record visitor numbers recorded during the first half of 2026 underline the growing popularity of Ras Al Khaimah as a tourism destination. The combination of strong domestic demand, expanding accommodation capacity, major resort investments, improved air and maritime connectivity and new experiential tourism products is expected to support the emirate’s continued growth. With several major developments scheduled to open or advance over the coming years, Ras Al Khaimah is positioning itself as one of the region’s fastest-growing destinations for leisure, adventure, luxury and experiential tourism.
