Ras Al Khaimah sees record visitor numbers in H1 2025

Ras Al Khaimah is marking a record-breaking start to 2025, with more than 654,000 visitor arrivals in the first half of the year — the highest ever for a six-month period.

That's a 6 per cent increase compared to the same time last year, and tourism revenues are also up by 9 per cent.

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) says the strong results reflect its ongoing efforts to expand air connectivity, attract major hotel brands, and forge strategic partnerships across key markets.

CEO Raki Phillips added that the figures show Ras Al Khaimah is firmly on track to meet its goal of welcoming over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, calling the growth a '"testament to the strength of the destination’s offering."

Other highlights from the first half of 2025 include:

• 36% growth in MICE & Weddings revenues
• Strong visitor numbers across key source markets, including CIS, UK, India, China and Central and Eastern Europe
• Significant growth from source markets with expanded direct flights connectivity, including Romania (+65%), Poland (+56%), Uzbekistan (+47%), Belarus (+30%)
• Major hotel announcements including, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Taj, NH Collection (Minor Hotels) – supporting plans to double the number of hotel keys by 2030
• Several strategic partnerships signed to boost tourism including MoUs with Fujairah Adventures, Huawei, Open World, and leading OTAs in China and KSA
• Growing events calendar including, the RAK Half Marathon, UAE Tour, HIGHLANDER and new Jais Ride cycling challenge