The UAE is preparing for one of the largest tourism developments in the country as Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah gets closer to completion.
Wynn Resorts has said the luxury integrated resort will open in September 2027, and also announced that the total investment of the project is up to $5.7 billion.
The revised budget is about $600 million higher than previous estimates, reflecting higher construction costs, design upgrades, and inflation affecting large-scale developments worldwide. Despite the larger investment, the company says the project remains on track and is expected to become one of the region's premier hospitality destinations.
The resort is located on Al Marjan Island and is being built with Wynn Resorts, Marjan, and RAK Hospitality Holding in partnership. The waterfront property is designed to redefine luxury tourism in the emirate and strengthen Ras Al Khaimah as an international leisure destination.
When complete, Wynn Al Marjan Island will have more than 1,500 hotel rooms and suites, luxury villas, fine-dining restaurants, premium retail outlets, entertainment venues, convention and meeting spaces, wellness facilities, and a number of recreational attractions.
It will also be the UAE’s first licensed commercial gaming venue, and will also mark a landmark project in the country’s tourism sector.
Construction has continued to progress steadily after earlier challenges caused by regional geopolitical tensions.
Wynn Resorts said work is progressing according to the updated schedule and thousands of workers are out there at the site to deliver the project on time to its stated opening date.
The company executives stressed that extending the timetable helps complete the resort at the highest level of international standards.
Wynn Resorts is not trying to rush construction; it’s creating a world-class destination that draws visitors from all over the world.
The project has increased in cost due to higher construction costs, labour costs, and improvements to the resort’s design in development. Wynn Resorts is optimistic, however, about the long-term financial potential of the project, as it has been well attended to by luxury travellers in the UAE.
Industry experts believe the integrated resort will have a strong impact on Ras Al Khaimah’s economy.
The development will create thousands of jobs, attract new hotel and office investment, and bring in new land investment, tourism and real estate investment, and create jobs and develop growth in aviation, retail, and entertainment.
The announcement comes as the UAE continues to grow its tourism presence beyond business travel. Ras Al Khaimah is one of the country’s fastest growing travel destinations and it’s popular for its beaches, mountains, adventure activities, and luxury resorts.
Wynn Al Marjan Island is going to be one of the most eagerly awaited hospitality launches of the Middle East. Once it’s ready for international visitors and the UAE’s reputation as a destination of luxury tourism and entertainment is established
It is expected that the resort will be a high-end resort of the highest quality with a lot of quality hospitality and a lot of fun from a very traditional and old-school lifestyle.
