With just a few days to New Year’s, many UAE residents are making last-minute plans. According to revelations shared with The Finance 360, Ras Al Khaimah is witnessing a surge in demand for luxury stays, as travelers flock to this beautiful destination for a lavish getaway. Some hotels have increased New Year’s Eve rates by up to AED 5,000, yet travel enthusiasts across the country are still eagerly securing their bookings.
Meher Sakwani, a Sharjah-based resident, said, “There are so many options for Ras Al Khaimah stays. For me, since work keeps me going until the end, I usually end up making last-minute plans. I tried to look for options between The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach, and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Both of them are now costing AED 5,000 and above for one night for New Year’s. But knowing myself, I’ll probably book it for leisure anyway, because I know the hospitality will make me enjoy the stay and I won’t regret the decision.”
In an early report for 2025, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announced a record-breaking first half of the year, with over 654,000 visitor arrivals, which is a 6% increase year-over-year, and tourism revenues rising by 9%.
Speaking on this, RAKTDA CEO Raki Phillips attributed the growth to the emirate’s strong tourism strategy, highlighting expanded air connectivity, new hotel developments, and a rich calendar of experiences. The authority aims to welcome over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030 while ensuring sustainable value.
Meanwhile, Nova Manikaran, who works in JLT, also shared that his friends have planned a trip to Ras Al Khaimah this weekend.
“We were initially planning to go to Oman, but then switched to Ras Al Khaimah. The drive is serene, and the current weather makes the trip even better. We managed to snag a deal for AED 500, which is a nice bonus. Since we’re all guys, figuring out food is easy, and we can just relax and enjoy the getaway,” Nova shared.
Why Ras Al Khaimah is becoming famous among residents is definitely related to all the new developments the emirate is bringing. The spike reflects not just the festive excitement but also the allure of Ras Al Khaimah’s serene beaches, upscale resorts, and unique mountain getaways. Despite premium pricing, travelers are prioritizing experiences, often planning months in advance, or even last-minute, to ring in the new year. Earlier, many reports suggested that the UK, Georgia were topping the list for UAE residents’ year-end travel.
But now, hospitality experts say the trend is shifting towards RAK for its growing appetite for “staycations with a twist” in the UAE, where comfort, exclusivity, and Instagram-worthy celebrations are worth the splurge.
