Ras Al Khaimah Tourism sector hits record 654,000 visitors in H1 2025
Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, said the results reflect the strength of the emirate's tourism strategy, adding, 'From expanded air connectivity and hotel developments to a robust calendar of experiences, we are firmly on track to welcome over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, while delivering long-term, sustainable value.'
Key achievements in H1 2025 included: 654,000 visitor arrivals—the highest ever for a six-month period; 9 percent year-on-year growth in tourism revenues; 36 percent increase in MICE and weddings revenues; Strong growth from markets with direct flights: Romania (+65 percent), Poland (+56 percent), Uzbekistan (+47 percent), Belarus (+30 percent); Record half-year arrivals from India (+25 percent), China (+9.2 percent), Russia (+7 percent) and the UK (+5 percent).
RAKTDA also announced several high-profile hotel developments to support plans to double the number of hotel keys by 2030. These include 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 added further diversity to the emirate's hospitality landscape.
The emirate's airport continued to drive connectivity with new direct routes from Warsaw, Katowice, Bucharest, Moscow, Tashkent and Prague. Plans to expand the airport's capacity and enhance the arrival experience are underway.
RAKTDA also formalised strategic partnerships to support destination growth. These include agreements with Fujairah Adventures to develop inter-Emirate itineraries, and OTAs in China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to boost inbound travel. In digital innovation, RAKTDA signed MoUs with Huawei and Web3 platform Open World to advance smart tourism and blockchain-powered visitor engagement.
In events, the emirate hosted its largest-ever Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon with more than 10,000 attendees, 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 cemented Ras Al Khaimah's position as a regional hub for outdoor and sports tourism.
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UAE: Ras Al Khaimah tourism hits record 654,000 visitors in H1 2025, revenue up 9%
Ras Al Khaimah welcomed a record 654,000 visitors in the first half of 2025, marking a 6 per cent year-on-year increase and driving a 9 per cent rise in tourism revenues, according to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). The Emirate also reported a 36 per cent surge in MICE and weddings revenues, reflecting its growing reputation as a global tourism and events hub. 'These half-year achievements are a clear testament to the strength of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism offering and the impact of its focused strategy,' said Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA. 'With a clear vision to welcome over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, the Emirate is firmly on track to deliver long-term, sustainable value for its economy, communities, and tourists.' Key international markets drove the record-breaking performance. India led with a 25 per cent increase in arrivals, while the UK (+5 per cent), China (+9.2 per cent), and Russia (+7 per cent ) posted their highest-ever half-year numbers. Central and Eastern Europe delivered standout growth, with Romania up 65 per cent, Poland 56 per cent, Uzbekistan 47 per cent, and Belarus 30 per cent, boosted by new direct flights to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Connectivity and hotel expansion Air connectivity continued to strengthen with new routes from Poland, Romania, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the Czech Republic. The airport's strategic expansion is underway to handle larger aircraft and enhance the visitor experience. The Emirate also advanced its hospitality offering, with high-profile announcements including Four Seasons, Fairmont, Taj, and NH Collection hotels. Rove Al Marjan Island opened in early 2025, and ongoing developments aim to double hotel keys by 2030, reinforcing Ras Al Khaimah's position as one of the region's fastest-growing destinations. Strategic partnerships and event-led tourism Events remained a key driver of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism strategy, with the 18th Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, the UAE Tour's Jebel Jais stage, the DP World Tour's RAK Championship, the highlander hiking series, and the debut of Jais Ride cycling challenge drawing global attention and participants. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has signed several new agreements to attract more visitors and promote the Emirate as a top destination. The partnerships include working with Fujairah Adventures to offer more inter-emirate adventure experiences, teaming up with popular Chinese travel platforms and Tongcheng, and joining forces with four major Saudi travel websites to reach more travelers from the GCC region. With strong half-year performance, expanded infrastructure, and a robust event calendar, Ras Al Khaimah is on a clear path to achieving its 2030 tourism vision and cementing its status as a leading regional destination.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism sector hits record 654,000 visitors in first half
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has reported record-breaking performance for the first half of 2025, with over 654,000 visitor arrivals, marking a 6 per cent year-on-year increase, alongside a 9 per cent rise in tourism revenues. Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, said the results reflect the strength of the emirate's tourism strategy, adding, 'From expanded air connectivity and hotel developments to a robust calendar of experiences, we are firmly on track to welcome over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, while delivering long-term, sustainable value.' Key achievements in H1 2025 included: 654,000 visitor arrivals-the highest ever for a six-month period; 9 per cent year-on-year growth in tourism revenues; 36 per cent increase in MICE and weddings revenues; Strong growth from markets with direct flights: Romania (+65 per cent), Poland (+56 per cent), Uzbekistan (+47 per cent), Belarus (+30 per cent); Record half-year arrivals from India (+25 per cent), China (+9.2 per cent), Russia (+7 per cent) and the UK (+5 per cent). RAKTDA also announced several high-profile hotel developments to support plans to double the number of hotel keys by 2030. These include 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 added further diversity to the emirate's hospitality landscape. The emirate's airport continued to drive connectivity with new direct routes from Warsaw, Katowice, Bucharest, Moscow, Tashkent and Prague. Plans to expand the airport's capacity and enhance the arrival experience are underway. RAKTDA also formalised strategic partnerships to support destination growth. These include agreements with Fujairah Adventures to develop inter-Emirate itineraries, and OTAs in China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to boost inbound travel. In digital innovation, RAKTDA signed MoUs with Huawei and Web3 platform Open World to advance smart tourism and blockchain-powered visitor engagement. In events, the emirate hosted its largest-ever Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon with more than 10,000 attendees, 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 cemented Ras Al Khaimah's position as a regional hub for outdoor and sports tourism. WAM
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism sector hits record 654,000 visitors in H1 2025
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has reported record-breaking performance for the first half of 2025, with over 654,000 visitor arrivals, marking a 6 percent year-on-year increase, alongside a 9 percent rise in tourism revenues. Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, said the results reflect the strength of the emirate's tourism strategy, adding, 'From expanded air connectivity and hotel developments to a robust calendar of experiences, we are firmly on track to welcome over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, while delivering long-term, sustainable value.' Key achievements in H1 2025 included: 654,000 visitor arrivals—the highest ever for a six-month period; 9 percent year-on-year growth in tourism revenues; 36 percent increase in MICE and weddings revenues; Strong growth from markets with direct flights: Romania (+65 percent), Poland (+56 percent), Uzbekistan (+47 percent), Belarus (+30 percent); Record half-year arrivals from India (+25 percent), China (+9.2 percent), Russia (+7 percent) and the UK (+5 percent). RAKTDA also announced several high-profile hotel developments to support plans to double the number of hotel keys by 2030. These include 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 added further diversity to the emirate's hospitality landscape. The emirate's airport continued to drive connectivity with new direct routes from Warsaw, Katowice, Bucharest, Moscow, Tashkent and Prague. Plans to expand the airport's capacity and enhance the arrival experience are underway. RAKTDA also formalised strategic partnerships to support destination growth. These include agreements with Fujairah Adventures to develop inter-Emirate itineraries, and OTAs in China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to boost inbound travel. In digital innovation, RAKTDA signed MoUs with Huawei and Web3 platform Open World to advance smart tourism and blockchain-powered visitor engagement. In events, the emirate hosted its largest-ever Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon with more than 10,000 attendees, 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 cemented Ras Al Khaimah's position as a regional hub for outdoor and sports tourism. WAM
