Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has reported its most successful year yet, with a record of 1.28 million overnight visitors in 2024, marking a significant 12% rise in tourism revenue and a 15% increase in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) attendees. This milestone showcases the Emirate’s effective strategy to achieve sustainable growth, with a goal of attracting 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030.
Several factors contributed to this impressive performance, including the opening of new hotels and resorts, a growing array of international events, and better connectivity through Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. RAKTDA also ran successful marketing campaigns and engaged in over 2,200 international activities across 70 cities.
In addition to these tourism gains, Ras Al Khaimah earned global recognition for its sustainability efforts. At the Forbes Middle East 2024 Sustainability Leaders’ Summit, the Emirate’s sustainability program was awarded the title of the ‘Middle East’s Most Sustainable Project.’ Ras Al Khaimah became the first destination in the region to receive the EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations Silver Certification, underlining its commitment to eco-friendly tourism. The Responsible RAK program, aimed at certifying hotels and tourism businesses for their sustainable practices, further strengthens this initiative.
Improved air connectivity played a key role in the surge of visitors, with direct flights now available from cities such as Warsaw, Tashkent, Almaty, Bucharest, Prague, Moscow, Riyadh, and New Delhi, facilitating easier access for travelers from across the globe.
Ras Al Khaimah’s hospitality sector saw notable growth with the opening of luxury resorts like Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort and Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort, which also introduced the Emirate’s first overwater villas.
The Emirate continued to attract global attention through its impressive lineup of world-class events, including the HIGHLANDER Adventure hiking challenge, the Ras Al Khaimah Golf Championship, the Arab Aviation Summit, and the Global Citizen Forum. Other major events, such as the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon and the debut of the Seven Wonders experiential concert series, added to the Emirate’s growing reputation as an events hub.
Ras Al Khaimah marked the start of 2025 with a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration, setting two Guinness World Records for the ‘Largest aerial display of a tree formed by multi-rotor drones’ and the ‘Largest aerial image of a seashell formed by drones.’
The year 2024 also saw Ras Al Khaimah’s MICE sector grow by 15%, further solidifying its position as a leading destination for international meetings and conferences. With over 80 international MICE engagements in 20 markets, RAKTDA’s efforts to expand the sector continue to pay off.
Ras Al Khaimah’s focus on balanced and sustainable tourism ensures that the region grows without compromising its cultural heritage. This vision has garnered international acclaim, with Ras Al Khaimah ranked among the top ten cities for expats in the InterNations City Ranking 2024. – WAM
