DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Hilton announced an agreement with M Hospitality to open Hilton Marjan Island Beach Resort & Spa in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE’s northernmost emirate. Expected to open in Q4 2026, the upscale property will add to Hilton’s fast-growing portfolio of 80 hotels across 11 brands operating in the Middle East.

“Hilton has been operating in Ras Al Khaimah for over 20 years and we are excited to be working with M Hospitality once again,” said Carlos Khneisser, vice president, development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “With Ras Al Khaimah expected to welcome over 3.8 million visitors by 2027¹, we see great opportunity in the emirate and its leisure hubs such as Marjan Island. We currently have two hotels in operation on the island and Hilton Marjan Island Beach Resort & Spa will add significantly to our offering.”

Hilton Marjan Island Beach Resort & Spa is set to offer 315 spacious king rooms and 35 suites. The resort will boast a choice of six restaurants and bars and a range of leisure facilities – including a fitness club, a spa and wellness centre, a 360-degree sky pool overlooking the Arabian Gulf, tennis courts, a kids club and a dedicated kids pool and playground. The property will also offer an executive lounge, four meeting rooms and a ballroom that can host up to 300 people.

Signing of Hilton Marjan Island Beach Resort & Spa. Left to right: Carlos Khneisser, VP, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton; Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP, Development, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Hilton; Mohammed Ruqait, Chairman of M Hospitality, Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).

Mohammed Ruqait, chairman of M Hospitality, said, “We are honored to unveil our latest venture — a world-class hotel on Ras Al Khaimah’s iconic Al Marjan Island. This project reflects our commitment to redefining modern living, offering an upscale hospitality experience. Teaming up with the prestigious Hilton brand signifies the third milestone in our journey, and we are excited to contribute to the cultural and economic landscape of Ras Al Khaimah.” 

Surrounded by RAK’s serene coastline and a myriad of landscapes, from the rugged peaks of the Hajar Mountains to the tranquil beaches along the Persian Gulf, Hilton Marjan Island Beach Resort & Spa will be easily accessible – with Dubai International Airport just an hour’s drive away and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport only 20 minutes away. The hotel will also be adjacent to Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island.

The resort will bolster Hilton’s existing portfolio of 36 hotels in the UAE, including five in Ras Al Khaimah.

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

Singapore was the top regional destination for Asia/Pacific business travelers last year, while Frankfurt topped the list of intercontinental destinations, according to BCD Travel’s Cities & Trends 2023 Asia Pacific Report.

BCD noted Singapore has been “an accessible and convenient destination for business” with 2023 passenger volume at Changi Airport reaching about 86 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The eight most traveled routes by business travelers in the region were flights to or from Singapore, according to the report. Singapore was followed by Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur as the top destinations for travelers within the region, according to the report, based on BCD flight and rail data.

Shanghai ranked sixth on the list, and China overall ranked second behind Singapore in countries visited by Asia/Pacific business travelers, BCD said. The report noted international business travel to China has lagged domestic recovery within the country.

“Domestic air travel is at 17 percent above 2019 levels, while international air travel is still recovering,” according to the report. “Factors such as a shortage of flights, high ticket prices and administrative hurdles in obtaining visas have contributed to this slower recovery.”

Frankfurt was the top intercontinental location for Asia/Pacific business travelers, with three of the top four most-traveled intercontinental routes in the region to the German business hub—from Bangalore, Shanghai and Tokyo. London, Amsterdam, San Francisco and Munich rounded out the top five intercontinental destinations, though the United States was the most visited country by intercontinental travelers in the region, followed by Germany.

The report also noted that Asia/Pacific business travelers are less likely to fly on business class on intercontinental flights than U.S. travelers but more likely than their European counterparts. For Asia/Pacific business travelers, 49 percent of intercontinental flights were booked in business class. By comparison, 53 percent of U.S. intercontinental flights were booked in business class, and 47 percent of European intercontinental business flights were booked for the front of the cabin.

On regional flights within Asia/Pacific, however, only 17 percent of travelers booked business class, the report indicated.