Credit: Bloomberg
Just over an hour from Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah is home to 64 kms of beaches, rolling sand dunes and Hajar mountains. This varied topography makes this lesser known Emirate the perfect location for adventure tourism activities.
The UAE's economy specifically within the real estate and luxury tourism sectors have been enjoying a sunny outlook and upward trajectory showing a strong recovery following the pandemic. Heading into 2024, hotels across Dubai have prices surging by 200% with international interest and attendance during COP28.
It is anticipated that Dubai will only get more crowded and costly.
As locals and tourists look for alternatives, neighbouring Emirate, Ras Al Khaimah looks to follow in Dubai's footsteps bringing in luxury travelers seeking a different kind of experience.
Ras Al Khaimah plans for a super-yacht storage facility and wants to make RAK a yacht manufacturing hub.
Under the leadership of its Sheikh, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) has ambitious plans to attract foreign direct investment, bringing luxury, adventure-seeking tourists and wealthy executives to the region.
RAK is pushing to translate the tourist surge into longer-term economic benefits with the UAE's "Citizenship-by-Investment" program and "Free Zones".
For those interested in relocating to the region, RAK benefits from the United Arab Emirate's "Citizenship-by-Investment" program and is developing "Free Zones" for digital and virtual asset companies with tens of thousands of foreign firms already registered and incorporated.
RAK may be on the way to slowly emerging “as the UAE’s next hospitality hotspot,” Knight Frank’s Durrani said.
"As Dubai get more crowded and costly, residents and tourists are now looking for an alternative to meet its luxury demand – Ras Al Khaimah. According to recent data, RAK achieved a record 1.1 million overnight arrivals last year, a 16 percent increase, including a remarkable 40 percent surge in foreign tourists. Ambitious plans are underway to expand the number of tourists to three million by 2030, supported by 19 new hotels from global brands such as Marriott and Anantara, marking a 70 percent increase in current inventory." -Hotelier Middle East
What should be on your Ras Al Khaimah bucket list?
Suwaidi Pearl Farm (Access by boat)
Al Jazeera Al Hamra (Historical pearling village)
Jebel Jais Mountain (Scenic 1 hour 15 min drive to the top)
1484 by Puro Restaurant (For stunning mountain-top views)
Jais Flight (The world's longest zipline)
Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque (Dating back to the 18th century)
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Source: Hotelier Middle East & Bloomberg