Ras Al Khaimah has reported its strongest first half of 2025, welcoming over 654,000 international visitors and seeing significant growth in tourism revenue.
Record-Breaking Visitor Growth
The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is celebrating an unprecedented start to 2025, recording its best-ever half-year performance. Between January and June, more than 654,000 international tourists flocked to the destination.
This impressive figure represents a 6 percent increase in arrivals compared to the previous year. Alongside this growth in visitor numbers, RAK’s overall tourism revenue also saw a healthy jump of 9 percent.
MICE and Wedding Boom
Beyond leisure travel, Ras Al Khaimah is rapidly emerging as a preferred hub for business events and celebrations. The first half of 2025 witnessed a remarkable 36 percent surge in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) and wedding revenue.
India led the pack among international source markets, with a substantial 25 percent year-on-year increase in visitors. Other strong contributors included Romania, Poland, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, benefiting from enhanced direct air connectivity.
Expanding Hospitality Landscape
To support its growing popularity, Ras Al Khaimah continues to invest heavily in its hospitality infrastructure. Several new, world-renowned hotel brands are currently under development, including Four Seasons, Taj, Fairmont, and NH Collection.
The recent opening of Rove Al Marjan Island has already added considerable beachfront capacity for visitors. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has an ambitious target to double the number of hotel keys across the Emirate by 2030.
Vibrant Events Calendar
A key factor in attracting more visitors has been the Emirate’s dynamic events strategy. Signature events like the RAK Half Marathon, UAE Tour, and HIGHLANDER made successful returns this year, drawing large crowds and participants.
Adding to the excitement, a new event, the “Jais Ride,” was introduced. This challenging 25-kilometer cycling event takes participants up Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE, showcasing RAK’s diverse adventure offerings.
Strategic Partnerships Drive Success
Strategic collaborations have also played a crucial role in the Emirate’s success. RAKTDA has signed important Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with tech giants like Huawei and Open World.
Further partnerships with leading online travel agencies in key markets like China and Saudi Arabia are boosting accessibility. A collaboration with Fujairah Adventures aims to create seamless inter-Emirate experiences, encouraging tourists to explore more of the UAE.
- Ras Al Khaimah welcomed over 654,000 international visitors in H1 2025.
- Tourism revenue increased by 9%, with MICE and wedding revenue up 36%.
- India is a top source market, with new direct flights boosting arrivals from Eastern Europe.
- New hotel brands are under development to double hotel capacity by 2030.
- High-impact events and strategic partnerships are driving continued growth.
Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, stated that this strong performance underscores the Emirate’s effective tourism strategy and enhanced connectivity. Ras Al Khaimah remains on track to achieve its goal of welcoming 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, solidifying its position as a leading destination in the Middle East.
