- Sixth edition of RAK Investment Pulse outlines the complete investor journey for hotel development and operation in Ras Al Khaimah
- Report highlights key stakeholders, processes, and financing pathways to support the Emirate’s hospitality expansion
- Ras Al Khaimah recorded 654,000 visitors in H1 2025, a 6% increase, with tourism revenue rising 9% year-on-year
Stirling Hospitality Advisors, a leading boutique advisory firm in the region, has released the sixth edition of its RAK Investment Pulse report, offering new insights into the end-to-end investor journey for hotel development and operation in Ras Al Khaimah. The Emirate welcomed more than 654,000 visitors in the first half of 2025, recording a 6% increase in arrivals and a 9% rise in tourism revenue compared to last year. The report also highlights that this growth is reinforced by Ras Al Khaimah’s ability to offer a streamlined and cost-efficient investment framework, giving investors greater confidence to commit to the market.
These latest figures reflect the direction of RAK Tourism Vision 2030, which seeks to attract more than 3.5 million annual visitors by implementing a five-year roadmap focused on strengthening competitiveness, encouraging investment, and improving livability.
In addition to tourism performance, the report also underscores the Emirate’s broader economic momentum, noting 13% growth in residential rents, a 39% increase in average sales values, and over 13,000 new companies established in 2024.
The sixth edition of RAK Investment Pulse delivers new insight into the end-to-end investor journey for hotel development and operation, revealing that the Emirate offers one of the UAE’s fastest and most cost-efficient pathways to market entry. The research shows that investors benefit from clear structures across six stages of the lifecycle, from acquisition and feasibility, to financing, construction, licensing, and asset management, with government entities such as RAKTDA, RAKEZ, and RAK Municipality actively streamlining processes. This coordinated approach reduces complexity and provides investors with greater certainty on timelines, costs, and regulatory requirements, setting Ras Al Khaimah apart from other regional markets.
The report also sheds light on the competitive financing landscape, with banks typically requiring 20–30% equity and offering lending at 1.5–2.5% above interbank rates. These terms, combined with the Emirate’s investor-friendly framework, drive strong interest from both regional and international players. Crucially, the research identifies that projects which engage early with RAKTDA during the design stage enjoy significantly shorter approval cycles, accelerating time-to-market and boosting overall returns.
Tatiana Veller, Managing Director of Stirling Hospitality Advisors, commented: “Ras Al Khaimah has created an ecosystem where investors not only see strong tourism fundamentals, but also a clear, supportive path to market. This edition of RAK Investment Pulse captures how streamlined processes, competitive financing, and proactive government engagement are giving investors’ confidence to commit capital and build for the long term.”
Drawing on interviews with government authorities, banks, developers, and operators, the report highlights how Ras Al Khaimah is positioning itself as one of the most attractive destinations for hospitality investment in the region. By providing clarity on both opportunities and enablers of success, RAK Investment Pulse continues to serve as a trusted quarterly guide for stakeholders looking to unlock growth in the Emirate’s evolving hospitality sector.
Stirling Hospitality Advisors will host a webinar on 16th September 2025, to present the key findings from the report and explore the investment opportunities it identifies.
Register at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7cb26924-634d-4ea2-98d9-46726c4b9ebd@b097daf4-c6e3-49ae-8cd1-efdac601eeed
