Ras Al Khaimah’s Tourism Soars: Record-Breaking Half-Year Performance Signals Strong Growth

By Rachel Miller / July 31, 2025

Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism sector is surging, showcasing remarkable strength with a record-breaking performance in the first half of 2025. The Emirate recorded an impressive 6% growth in visitor arrivals, coupled with a 9% increase in tourism revenues. Notably, its MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and weddings revenues saw a significant 36% rise, underscoring its growing appeal as a premier destination.

A Clear Vision Driving Success

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announces these robust results, with over 654,000 visitor arrivals marking the highest-ever for a six-month period. This demonstrates a clear year-on-year growth trajectory.

“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 Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “From expanded air connectivity and high-profile hotel developments to strategic partnerships and a growing calendar of experiences and events, every milestone contributes to Ras Al Khaimah’s standing as one of the world’s fastest growing destinations. 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.”

Connecting the World: Unprecedented Visitor Growth

The strong performance reflects RAKTDA’s continuous efforts to expand connectivity, broaden the Emirate’s tourism appeal, and deepen its presence across key international and regional markets. Ras Al Khaimah saw notable gains from its key source markets. Visitors from India increased by a significant 25% year-on-year. Meanwhile, the UK (+5%), China (+9.2%), and Russia (+7%) each delivered their highest ever arrivals for a half-year period. Markets with expanded direct flight connectivity showed exceptional growth, including Romania (+65%), Poland (+56%), Uzbekistan (+47%), and Belarus (+30%), affirming the crucial role of air access in inbound tourism.

The 36% growth in MICE & Weddings revenues highlights Ras Al Khaimah’s emergence as a dynamic hub for events and incentive travel, driven by high-value weddings and international conferences.

Expanding Horizons: Hotel and Airport Momentum Continues

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport witnessed continued route expansion during the first half of 2025, with direct flights from Poland (Katowice and Warsaw), Romania (Bucharest), Russia (Moscow), Uzbekistan (Tashkent), and the Czech Republic (Prague) contributing to the upward trajectory in visitor arrivals. This expansion reinforces the airport’s role as a key gateway, supported by ongoing upgrades to welcome larger aircraft and enhance the arrival experience.

The Emirate also significantly strengthened its hotel offering with several high-profile announcements and openings. These include NH Collection Ras Al Khaimah Al Marjan Island Hotel & Apartments, Fairmont Al Marjan Island, Taj Wellington Mews Al Marjan Island, and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Ras Al Khaimah at Mina Al Arab. Expanding its appeal across market segments, Ras Al Khaimah also welcomed the opening of Rove Al Marjan Island, bringing the signature charm of the homegrown Rove brand to the Emirate. These developments directly support Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitious goal to more than double its hotel key count by 2030, marking one of the fastest growth trajectories in the region.

Strategic Partnerships Fueling Destination Development

The first half of 2025 also saw a series of strategic partnerships designed to support both destination development and market expansion. A cross-Emirate collaboration with Fujairah Adventures, formalised at the International Conference on Adventure Tourism, will highlight the complementary strengths of both destinations and offer compelling inter-Emirate itineraries for adventure seekers.

RAKTDA also signed MoUs with leading Chinese Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), including Trip.com and Tongcheng, to boost visitor numbers from China. New partnerships with four leading Saudi-based OTAs—Fursan Travel, Smart Holidays, Almatar, and Wego—are helping Ras Al Khaimah tap into strong GCC demand and emerging traveller trends. In the digital space, the Emirate signed a strategic MoU with Huawei to advance smart tourism capabilities, and an agreement with Web3 technology partner Open World is exploring a blockchain-powered tourism rewards platform to enhance visitor engagement.

Signature Events: Elevating Destination Appeal

Recognising the power of large-scale events in shaping destination appeal, Ras Al Khaimah continued to expand its programme of signature sporting experiences. The Emirate hosted the 18th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, drawing a record-breaking turnout of over 10,000 participants and spectators. It also saw the return of the UAE Tour’s Jebel Jais Mountain stage and the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour. The globally recognised HIGHLANDER hiking adventure returned for its fourth edition, drawing participants from around the world. New to the calendar was Jais Ride, a challenging 25km cycling event that debuted in April 2025, pushing riders to conquer the steep ascent of the UAE’s highest peak. Collectively, these events reinforce Ras Al Khaimah’s positioning as a leading regional hub for sports and entertainment.

Ras Al Khaimah continues its trajectory as one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing destinations, promising sustainable value and unforgettable experiences for all.