Gulf Construction Online - Mega integrated resort planned for RAK

UAE Focus

Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

Mega integrated resort planned for RAK

01 February 2022

RAK Hospitality Holding Marjan has joined hands with Wynn Resorts, the US-listed international developer and operator of luxury resorts, for a multibillion-dollar integrated resort development on the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

It is the first beach resort being developed by Wynn Resorts globally. The current scope includes a 1,000-plus-room hotel, high-end shopping mall, a state-of-the-art meeting and convention facility, an exclusive spa, more than 10 restaurants and lounges, a wide array of entertainment choices, a gaming area and other amenities.

The integrated resort will be developed with significant foreign direct investment by Wynn Resorts. As the largest project of its kind in the emirate’s growing hospitality sector, it will create substantial value to the local economy by accelerating tourism, creating jobs, and energising the growth of related sectors.

Set to be completed in 2026, the new resort is in the initial stages of design and development and will be applying for an integrated resort licence from Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

Already a leading tourism destination, the Al Marjan Island comprises four islands and offers over 7.8 km of beaches and 23 km of waterfront in addition to world-class hotels and residential developments.

Al Marjan Island spans an area of 2.7 million sq m of reclaimed land extending into the Arabian Gulf. The new integrated resort on one of the exclusive islands, which covers an area of almost 250,000 sq m, will offer a pristine setting with spectacular views of the Gulf as well as sandy beaches and a marina.

On the new venture, Marjan CEO Engineer Abdulla Al Abdooli said the new integrated resort highlights the fast-growing recognition of Ras Al Khaimah as a leading investment destination for high-quality hospitality projects. The integrated development, featuring a world-class hotel, entertainment and gaming amenities, will add to the emirate’s destination strategy to attract tourists from across the world,” stated Al Abdooli.

“We are partnering with Wynn Resorts, one of the world’s most renowned integrated resort companies, which has a strong track record of developing luxury destinations with exceptional accommodation, dining, entertainment concepts and gaming facilities,” he added.

Craig Billings, newly appointed CEO of Wynn Resorts, said: “Al Marjan Island is a pristine setting and an ideal greenfield location for us to create the one-of-a-kind guest experiences for which Wynn Resorts is renowned. The region offers tremendous potential for the hospitality and tourism industry, and we are excited about the prospect of developing an integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah.