‘Wynn to play key role for RAK to become a major player in tourism industry’
While India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day earlier this year, development of a multi-billion US dollar integrated resort was announced on the same day in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Much like India, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) boasts of abundant natural assets and resources which offer a truly authentic visitor experience. The Emirate has been the site of continuous human habitation for the last 7,000 years, one of the few across the world and delivers sustainable Nature-based adventure and authentic cultural experiences, from solo travellers to family groups. In fact, as an inspirational tourism destination, RAK has set ambitious tourism growth goals including attracting 2.9 million visitors by 2025. Before the pandemic, in 2019, of the 1.1 million international tourist arrivals, around 70,000 were Indians.
The Wynn integrated resort at Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is all set to open in 2026 with lifestyle retail, F&B and extensive MICE facilities along with a gaming zone.
Al Marjan Island, a man-made island which has successfully transitioned into a world-class luxury resort destination, is the flagship project of the Emirate and the next upcoming destination in the Gulf region. Marjan, the leading master developer of the island, has elaborate plans to create world-class, sustainable beach resort style community for all, and this has gained the interest of investors from India, especially ever since the Wynn integrated resort was announced.
Talking about this increased interest, Marjan CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli, in an exclusive interaction with BW Hotelier, shared details about the resort and its importance to RAK. “We are offering a unique concept to the entire region in the form of integrated resorts where guests can shop and enjoy different facilities. It will essentially be a one-stop destination. That’s where the opportunity is for RAK. We have different offerings in terms of hotels and now this,” he says.
However, a project as ambitious as an integrated resort, and on this massive a scale, is not without challenges. “It needs to be done properly, in terms of the brand, the size and the right scale. Without all this, the project will not work,” he explains, adding that the development of Wynn integrated resort is a big move as it will play a key part for RAK to become a major player in the tourism industry.
Holistically, Al Marjan Island, with 2.7 sq km of reclaimed land, has plans for 8,000 keys across different hotels and categories, along with 12,000 residential units and 600 holiday villas to allow guests to enjoy its pristine beaches spanning 7.8 km, once developed.
