Locations

Ras Al Khaimah

The UAE’s ‘Rising Star’

In less than a decade, RAK has transformed itself into a thriving hub for tourism and business and continues to capture global attention, making it an excellent and affordable long-term investment opportunity. In 2011, international visitor numbers soared past RAK’s target of 800,000 by 40%, setting a new record for the emirate and boosting tourism revenue by over a third to a staggering $108m. Those figures put RAK well on course to achieving its goal of 1.2 million visitors by 2013; statistics that will prove lucrative for those who choose to invest in the emirate.

Carving a new hot spot for global tourism

RAK’s dramatic backdrop of rugged, red mountains, lush green plains and a sparkling coastline have served to catapult it onto the global map of tourism hot spots.
Combine this with a rich cultural history dating back centuries and a coveted climate of year round sunshine, and it is clear why the emirate is already surpassing its
tourism goals.

When it comes to a rise in visitor numbers, RAK is under pressure to meet this boom. By 2016, the emirate needs to increase the amount of available rooms from the current 2,700 to around 10,000. This ambitious drive is led by the RAK Tourism Investment and Development Authority (TIDA) and backed by a government pledge to invest $100m into hotel and tourism projects over the next four years.

A new home for global hoteliers RAK is no stranger to global hotel names, with renowned hoteliers such as Rotana, Banyan Tree and Hilton already well established in the emirate. Indeed, testament to RAK’s magnetic attraction as a top hotel location is the Hilton brand, which selected RAK as the place to open its first upscale Double Tree Hilton in the UAE. A second Double Tree property is also due for completion on Al Marjan Island in 2014, proof that the area is fast emerging as one of the hottest locations for global hotel properties.

RAK’s beach resorts also outperformed city hotels, witnessing a significant growth of 8.62% in hotel occupancy, to reach an average of over 80% in 2011.

This in turn boosted revenue per available room by an impressive 24.5%. This trend is forecast to continue, spelling good news for all those involved in RAK’s rapidly
blooming hotel industry.