Global hotel giants unite to propel Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism vision

UAE – In an unprecedented move for the region, seven premier international hotel groups have vowed to back Ras Al Khaimah’s forward-thinking tourism vision, paving the way for the emirate to emerge as the destination of tomorrow.

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and His Excellency Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, recently held individual meetings with global and regional hospitality executives.

Among those in attendance were Sandeep Walia (Marriott International), Federico J. González (Radisson Hotel Group), Guy Hutchinson (Hilton), Duncan O’Rourke (Accor), Haitham Mattar (IHG Hotels & Resort), Gaurav Bhushan (Ennismore), and Philip Barnes (Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC).

During these discussions, each leader shared insights on their expansion and growth strategies in the region and signed a pledge to support the development of Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism and hospitality sector.

A Pledge for Sustainable Growth

The pledge reflects a shared commitment to propelling the emirate’s tourism economy and enhancing its reputation as a premier destination for visitors, residents, and businesses.

This initiative is fully aligned with Ras Al Khaimah’s Vision 2030, which aims to foster sustainable development across three core areas: Economy, Society, and Environment.

Strategic Goals and Commitments

H.E. Raki Phillips emphasized that tourism is the cornerstone of Ras Al Khaimah’s economy and a key driver of livability.

He outlined ambitious targets to elevate tourism’s contribution to one-third of the emirate’s GDP and to create over 20,000 jobs by 2030.

The commitments focus on four main areas: driving tourism growth by tripling the size of the sector to position the emirate among the top ten fastest-growing global destinations; meeting sustainability goals through initiatives like 10% electricity savings and sourcing 5% of demand from solar power; boosting global brand recognition via competitive indices and media exposure; and cultivating a thriving community that enhances the overall quality of life.

A Robust Hospitality Landscape

Ras Al Khaimah currently boasts 56 hotels and resorts with over 8,000 rooms spanning ultra-luxurious to family-friendly segments.

Following a record-breaking 1.28 million overnight arrivals in 2024, the emirate is set to welcome 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.

A robust pipeline of world-class properties is expected to double the number of rooms, adding more than 7,500 keys to the market and further cementing Ras Al Khaimah’s status as a global tourism destination.

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