MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

2022 marked a landmark year for Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), with the Emirate welcoming a record 1.13 million overnight visitor arrivals, up 15.6% on 2021 and eclipsing the pre-pandemic benchmark set in 2019. This stellar performance reflected Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation as one of the region’s fastest-growing business and tourism destinations and is testament to our ongoing efforts to position the Emirate as a pioneer in sustainable tourism.

The Authority’s all-encompassing approach to sustainability is encapsulated in its Balanced Tourism strategy. Launched in 2022, it aims to establish Ras Al Khaimah as a regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025 by prioritising sustainability across all areas of public investment, from environment and culture to conservation and liveability.

These efforts are attracting attention internationally. In 2022, Ras Al Khaimah was named one of the World’s Greatest Places by Time Magazine and ranked among CNN Travel’s Best Destinations to Visit in 2023. The Emirate also secured two Guinness World Records for its spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks and drone displays. Meanwhile, the Authority was named one of the Top 10 Great Places to Work in the Middle East.

Ras Al Khaimah’s hotel sector continued its exponential growth in 2022, recording a 17% year-on-year increase in guestroom supply, led by the debut of global brands InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Mövenpick and Radisson. The Emirate’s current 8,000-key inventory is forecast to expand by 70% in the coming years – one of the highest growth rates in the region. Ras Al Khaimah’s burgeoning global profile helped secure the single largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in its tourism sector to date, with US-based Wynn Resorts committing to build a multi-billion-dollar integrated resort on Al Marjan Island.

This forecast also underpins Ras Al Khaimah’s status as a world-class MICE destination, with the Emirate successfully hosting more than 50 major international events in 2022, including the prestigious Global Citizen Forum, the Arab Aviation Summit, and the DP World Tour. In 2023, we will also host the Minifootball (WMF) World Cup for the first time in the UAE.

Ras Al Khaimah will continue to capitalise on its growing international profile as a pioneer of sustainable tourism development. We are confident our focused strategic direction will attract new levels of investment, helping consolidate Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation as a world-class destination and one of the region’s most desirable places to live and work.

The government of Ras Al Khaimah established the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) in May 2011.

The Authority is actively developing the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establishing Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travellers with the objective of attracting 3 million visitors annually by 2030. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is also placing a strong emphasis on creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its rich history, dating back 7,000 years, and diverse landscape, from 64 kilometres of pristine beaches to terracotta deserts and an imposing mountain backdrop.

Ras Al Khaimah is ideally situated at the modern crossroads between Europe and Asia. One-third of the world's population is within four hours of flight duration, making it an ideal location for businesses to expand into the UAE, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.

The Emirate is home to the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates, Jebel Jais, soaring at an impressive 1,934 metres above sea level and recording temperatures that are 10 degrees Celsius cooler on average than across the other Emirates.

The mountain is also home to the Jais Adventure Park, a gateway to attractions such as the Jais Viewing Deck Park, the Jais Flight, the World’s Longest Zipline, Jais Sky Tour, a series of seven exhilarating ziplines stretching 5km, and Jais Sledder, the region’s longest toboggan ride.

At the Emirate’s economic heart lies several significant companies and sectors. The industrial segment includes RAK Rock and Stevin Rock quarries, RAK Ceramics and Julphar Pharmaceuticals. The Emirate also boasts RAK Ports, RAK Economic Zone, RAKBANK, RAK Gas, RAK Petroleum and the rapidly evolving tourism division. Supporting these industries is a modern infrastructure including state-of-the-art industrial areas, business parks, world-class hotels, facilities, and attractions.

For the past decade, Ras Al Khaimah has been consistently rated ‘A’ by international rating agencies such as Fitch and Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings. The Emirate’s Economic Zone already houses over 45,000 multinational companies from over 100 countries representing 50 industry sectors.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Auhtority has been certified as a 'Great Place to Work' by Great Place to Work®. If you want to be part of our award-winning team, please email your CV and cover letter to careers@raktda.com