A NEW HOSPITALITY HUB

Alison Grinnell, CEO of Ras AI Khaimah Hospitality Holding, is putting the small northern emirate on the map for tourists and residents. While up against fierce competition from its neighbors, RAK is making itself known.

- JAMILA GANDHI

On January 1, 2024, the U.A.E.'s northernmost emirate, Ras AI Khaimah (RAK), made history with an eight-minute-long fireworks and drone display along a 4.5km stretch of its waterfront, claiming two Guinness World Record titles-the "longest chain of aquatic floating fireworks," spanning 5.8 kilometers, and the "longest straight-line drone display," reaching two kilometers across the sky.

RAK is making itself known for groundbreaking announcements. Among the crescendo of developments in the emirate, all eyes are currently eagerly fixed on the anticipated arrival of the $3.9 billion Wynn AI Marjan Island resort, slated to open in 2027. Perched on an artificial island-which took over nine years to develop since its inception in 2004-the resort is being spearheaded by local partners Marjan and RAKHH and has already made history as the first establishment in the U.A.E. to secure a regulatory casino license, adding a new dimension of allure to the region's hospitality landscape.

Marking Las Vegas-based developer Wynn Resorts' first foray in the MENA region and its first-ever beachfront property, the integrated casino resort with 1,500 keys promises shopping, a gaming area, an event center, wellness and spa facilities, 24 dining and lounge experiences, and extensive entertainment options. "The Wynn Integrated Resort Development on Marjan Island will not only elevate RAK's global appeal but also catalyze further investment opportunities," anticipates Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding (RAKHH).