Ras Al Khaimah domestic tourism rises 93% in April

Part of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) recorded a 93% increase in domestic visitors in April 2026 compared to the same month last year, as demand from UAE residents offset the drop in international travel amid regional disruption caused by the outbreak of the Iran war on 28 February.

 

Hotel occupancy averaged around 32% in April, although weekend performance was stronger, with some properties exceeding 70%. Demand was concentrated around short leisure breaks, particularly in beach resorts and wellness-focused properties.

 

The figures, released by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), underline the shift towards domestic travel, with staycations supporting tourism activity in the UAE during the conflict. 

 

The authority’s recent campaigns, such as ‘RAK Moments’, have focused on driving local demand through staycation offers and short-break packages.

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RAK is targeting 3.5 million annual visitors and plans to double its hotel inventory by 2030. The development pipeline includes projects from Fairmont, Four Seasons and Taj, alongside Wynn Al Marjan Island, a US$5.1 billion integrated resort expected to open in 2027.

 

The emirate welcomed 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025, up 6% year-on-year, driven by growth from India (up 14%), the UK (up 10%) and Romania (up 41%). Growth has been supported by expanded air access, new hotel openings and events, including recent additions such as Rove Al Marjan Island and SO/ Ras Al Khaimah.

 

To support future demand, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is planning a new 30,000-square-metre passenger terminal, scheduled for completion in 2028, designed to accommodate larger aircraft and increased traffic. A new VVIP private jet terminal is also under development near Al Marjan Island, featuring dedicated lounges, a helipad and infrastructure for future air mobility solutions.

 

For more information, visit www.visitrasalkhaimah.com