Ras Al Khaimah hits 670,000 visitors in H1 2026 as domestic tourism surges

Ras Al Khaimah tourism authorities recorded 670,000 visitors during the first six months of 2026, marking a record performance for the emirate. The growth was primarily supported by a surge in domestic travelers from other UAE emirates, providing a stable revenue stream ahead of the peak summer season. Domestic market drives record numbers The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) confirmed that local residents accounted for a significant portion of the arrival figures. This domestic demand mitigated the impact of seasonal fluctuations typically seen in international travel during the second quarter. The emirate has focused on expanding its staycation offerings and adventure tourism infrastructure to attract regional weekend travelers. Current data indicates a 10% increase in visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 2025. Hotel occupancy rates remained robust throughout the first half of the year, supported by the opening of new luxury resorts and the expansion of existing beach properties on Marjan Island. New infrastructure and source markets While domestic tourism remains the core driver, RAKTDA reported sustained interest from traditional international markets including Germany, Kazakhstan, and the United Kingdom. The emirate is currently expanding its hospitality inventory with several thousand rooms under development, aimed at meeting a long-term target of 3 million annual visitors by 2030. The timing of the data release on Monday, 20 July,…