Ras Al Khaimah posts 25% rise in MICE room nights

Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE recorded a 25% increase in room bookings for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) over the past year, alongside a 36% uplift in related revenues.

 

The figures come from the latest RAK Investment Pulse report by Stirling Hospitality Advisors, which attributes the growth to robust demand, additional hotel inventory and an increasingly sophisticated support ecosystem for events and activities across the emirate.

 

According to the report, Ras Al Khaimah is attracting business events from a broad range of sectors, including finance and sustainable energy, positioning itself as an alternative to established regional hubs Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The report focuses on percentage gains and does not disclose the total number of events, room nights or overall revenue, but indicates clear upward momentum in the MICE segment.

 

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reported a 15% rise in MICE visitors in 2024, contributing to a record 1.28 million overnight arrivals during the year. Traditionally promoted as an adventure destination, thanks to its mix of mountains, desert and coastline, RAK is now leveraging a rapidly expanding hotel base to appeal to event planners seeking a different UAE destination.

 

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There are currently around 8,300 hotel rooms in operation in the emirate, with more than 9,300 additional keys in the pipeline, effectively set to more than double current capacity. Among the upcoming developments is the landmark US$5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island, scheduled to open in 2027 with the region’s first licensed casino facility, further enhancing the emirate’s appeal for high-value groups and events.

 

“The findings show that Ras Al Khaimah is rapidly positioning itself as one of the UAE’s major business events centres,” said Tatiana Veller, Managing Director of Stirling Hospitality Advisors.

 

“We’re seeing stronger interest from organisers, better infrastructure to support them, and a hotel pipeline that gives the emirate room to grow. It’s a positive sign for the market, and it reflects how quickly RAK is diversifying its tourism offering.”

 

Future plans designed to reinforce the emirate’s MICE credentials include land earmarked for a potential convention centre within the Marjan Beach District masterplan, alongside upgrades to RAK International Airport and a dedicated VVIP terminal and private jet hangar, expected to open in 2027. A flying taxi link from Dubai is also in the works. 

 

Stirling Hospitality Advisors, a subsidiary of master developer Marjan – behind Al Marjan Island, Marjan Beach and Wynn Al Marjan Island – will host a webinar on 9 December to explore the RAK Investment Pulse findings with industry stakeholders.

 

For more information, visit stirlinghospitality.com