With guaranteed sun, authentic Arabian culture, luxury indulgence and adventure activities abound, it's no surprise that Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE's northernmost emirate, continues to grow as a premier tourism destination. Riding that momentum, Ras Al Khaimah will continue to rise in the minds of discerning travellers, thanks to ongoing development of new tourism attractions and a full calendar of events. Read on to discover what's new and hot in the destination for 2017 and beyond:
Coastal Marvels
As a sun and sand destination, Ras Al Khaimah is no slouch. The emirate has over 64km of pristine coastline to please visitors, and if that's not enough, Al Marjan Island is still in development. Encompassing an area of 2.7 millions square metres and extending 4.5km into the sea, Al Marjan Island is the region's newest hotspot for breathtaking beaches, luxury resorts, world-class hotels, five-star facilities and kids' clubs, as well as traditional water sport activities like jet skiing and parasailing.
Once completed, the Al Marjan Island project is expected to take in foreign investments starting at an estimated £361 billion. Overall, Ras Al Khaimah will be home to over 20 world-class hotels and resorts from leading brands in the hospitality industry, including Anantara, Crowne Plaza and Marriot, with capacity to host up to 20,000 guests.
Mountain Adventure Products
Home to Jebel Jais, the UAE's tallest peak, which stands 1,934m high, Ras Al Khaimah is already positioned as a mountain paradise. Yet, the destination's tourism offering is soaring to new heights with its brand new Via Ferrata iron path.
The 470m long Via Ferrata spans the rocky facades of Jebel Jais and complements the rugged Al Hajar mountain range, where the average climate is 10 °C below mean Gulf temperatures. Comprised of three individual start and finish points, as well as three zip-lines measuring 165ft, 195ft and 985ft, the Via Ferrata caters to a wide range of ages and fitness levels.
