The Government of Ras Al Khaimah’s concerted efforts to reinforce the emirate’s position as a leading destination for sustainable tourism, including promoting and helping startups, is leading to record visitor numbers.
In 2024, 1.28 million tourists visited RAK, recording a 12 per cent increase in tourism revenues and a 15 per cent growth in visitor numbers within the meetings, incentives, exhibitions, and conferences (MICE) sector.
During the first half of 2025, the emirate registered a record number of visitors exceeding 654,000, as it advances steadily toward its goal of attracting more than 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.
Steady progress toward 2030 tourism goal
Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed remarkable growth in its tourism sector, alongside broad service diversification and increasing competition among tourism companies. This growth is reflected in leisure projects that draw on its geographic and environmental diversity, leveraging the striking views of the majestic Hajar Mountains, a 64-kilometre stretch of sandy beaches, and golden desert dunes.
Together, these elements deliver distinctive tourism experiences and provide startups operating in the sector with a wide range of ideas, activities, and initiatives that stimulate visitor demand. This is supported by world-class services offered by hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
The sixth edition of the World’s Coolest Winter campaign, launched under the slogan “Our Winter Is Entrepreneurial”, and implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in cooperation with relevant tourism, culture, and heritage entities across the UAE, aims to highlight the role of startups operating in the tourism sector.
Tourism companies play a vital role in promoting Ras Al Khaimah by marketing diversified packages that include mountain adventures, water activities, and cultural heritage experiences. This is achieved in cooperation with the tourism development authority through digital campaigns, influencer partnerships, and the development of infrastructure for visitor attraction and facility classification.
Government entities also prioritise strengthening cooperation with global adventure tourism companies and international digital travel agencies, while expanding the calendar of major events such as the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, the UAE Tour, the Highlander Challenge, and the first-of-its-kind Jais Ride cycling race.
Flagship attractions boost demand
Jais Flight, the world’s longest zipline, extends 2.83 kilometres at an altitude of 1,680 metres above sea level, soaring above mountain peaks and deep valleys. It is regarded as a premier destination for adventure seekers, offering speeds ranging between 120 and 150kmph over approximately three minutes across dramatic landscapes of ravines and jagged summits.
Water tourism in RAK enjoys strong demand as well, with various companies offering a family-friendly portfolio of water activities, including parasailing, jet skiing, free and tow water skiing, flying fish rides, paddleboarding, boat cruises, snorkeling trips, deep-sea fishing adventures, and scuba diving.
Aerial tourism experiences include hot air balloon rides, which was launched in 2022. The balloon accommodates two adults and ascends to a height of 30 metres, providing panoramic views of the emirate’s diverse landscapes.
Complementing these offerings is a variety of nature-based camps. Bear Grylls Explorers Camp offers adventurers survival experiences amid challenging desert and rugged mountain terrain on Jebel Jais. Sonara Camp Al Wadi, located within the Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert Resort, provides immersive experiences amid Arabian oryx, gazelles, and Arabian red foxes.
Camp 1770 enables visitors to enjoy outdoor hiking, camping, and sustainably prepared local cuisine. As the highest camp in the UAE at 1,770 metres above sea level, it offers stunning views of the peaks of Jebel Jais and surrounding palm farms.
MICE, weddings & hospitality expansion
Meetings, incentives, exhibitions, conferences, and wedding tourism represent a key investment avenue for tourism companies, achieving growth of 36 per cent.
A wide range of hotels and resorts operates within this segment, catering to diverse visitor preferences. The hotel sector is one of the most prominent pillars of the emirate’s tourism landscape and has received strong support from tourism authorities.
Last year, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announced major hotel projects involving global brands such as Four Seasons, Fairmont, Taj, and NH Collection, as part of a plan to double hotel room capacity by 2030.
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