Why Global Investors Are Turning to the UAE
Updated: 2 days ago
Global luxury brands are establishing a growing presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
And this expansion is no longer limited to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
One destination attracting increasing attention is Ras Al Khaimah, located in the northern part of the UAE.
On Al Marjan Island, overlooking the Arabian Gulf, major resort developments are taking shape as internationally renowned hospitality brands continue to expand into the region.
In October 2026, Janu, a sister brand of Aman under Aman Group, unveiled details of its latest luxury residential development, Janu Residences, Al Marjan Island.
Why are the world’s leading luxury hospitality brands choosing this destination?
The answer lies beyond real estate development, reflecting a broader tourism strategy that is reshaping the UAE’s hospitality and investment landscape.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Growth Strategy: Targeting 3.5 Million Visitors by 2030
When it comes to tourism in the UAE, Dubai is often the first destination that comes to mind, renowned for its iconic skyscrapers and world-class luxury hotels.
However, approximately 50 minutes by car from Dubai International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah is developing a distinctive tourism identity of its own.
Drawing on its diverse natural landscapes, from pristine coastlines and expansive deserts to dramatic mountain ranges, the emirate is attracting international hotel brands and major resort developments.
According to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the emirate welcomed approximately 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025, representing a 6% increase year on year. Tourism revenues also grew by 12%.
Looking ahead, Ras Al Khaimah aims to attract more than 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.
To support this ambitious growth strategy, investment is flowing into hospitality developments, residential projects, and transport infrastructure, positioning the emirate as an increasingly significant destination within the UAE’s tourism and investment landscape.
Wynn’s $5.7 Billion Investment Signals New Opportunities
One of the most significant developments symbolising Ras Al Khaimah’s growth is Wynn Al Marjan Island, currently under construction on Al Marjan Island.
Scheduled to open in 2027, the integrated resort represents a total investment of approximately US$5.7 billion.
The development will bring together luxury accommodation, fine dining, entertainment, and shopping, creating a destination where visitors can enjoy a wide range of experiences within a single resort.
An investment of this scale reflects growing confidence in Ras Al Khaimah’s potential to become a major destination in the international tourism market.
And nearby, another globally recognised hospitality group is establishing its presence: Aman Group, through its lifestyle brand, Janu.
Aman Group’s Next Luxury Destination
Aman is internationally recognised as a luxury hospitality brand that places tranquillity, privacy, and exclusivity at the heart of its guest experience.
In contrast, Janu, also part of Aman Group, embraces a more social approach to luxury, emphasising human connection, dining, and wellness.
With the opening of its first hotel, Janu Tokyo, in 2024, the brand introduced a distinctive hospitality concept that celebrates social interaction alongside sophisticated luxury.
The upcoming development on Al Marjan Island will comprise a 132-key hotel, 73 branded residences, and five exclusive Marina Villas.
The residences will range from one-bedroom homes to expansive five-bedroom properties, with architectural design led by Singapore-based SCDA Architects.
Spacious terraces overlooking the Arabian Gulf, floor-to-ceiling windows, and private swimming pools in selected residences are designed to create a seamless connection between architecture and the surrounding coastal landscape.
Yet the significance of this development extends beyond the luxury of its residences.
Janu is introducing a lifestyle concept that brings the services, experiences, and philosophy of luxury hospitality into everyday living.
How Dining and Wellness Are Redefining Real Estate Value
Traditionally, the value of luxury residential properties has been defined by factors such as location, size, views, and architectural design.
Today, however, branded residences developed by international hospitality groups are introducing another important dimension: the quality of services and experiences available to residents.
At Janu Al Marjan Island, plans include a 2,496-square-metre Spa and Wellness Centre, alongside six dining and entertainment venues.
The wellness facilities are expected to feature a hammam, banya, and cryotherapy treatments, offering residents a range of experiences focused on relaxation and well-being.
Residents will also have access to a private beach, swimming pools, and exclusive superyacht mooring facilities.
Imagine beginning the morning overlooking the Arabian Gulf, spending the afternoon enjoying wellness experiences, and ending the day with dinner at a distinctive restaurant.
The exceptional experiences once associated primarily with luxury hotel stays are increasingly becoming part of everyday residential life.
This evolving approach reflects a broader shift in the relationship between hospitality and real estate, where lifestyle experiences are becoming an integral part of residential value.
Why the UAE, and Why Now?
Several factors are driving the expansion of international hospitality brands into Ras Al Khaimah.
First is its proximity to Dubai, one of the world's most internationally connected aviation hubs.
Another advantage is the emirate's diverse natural environment, from pristine coastlines to dramatic mountain landscapes, offering visitors experiences that differ from traditional urban tourism.
Equally important is Ras Al Khaimah's long-term growth strategy, which focuses on expanding hotel capacity, improving transport infrastructure, and developing large-scale waterfront destinations in anticipation of rising tourism demand.
New mixed-use developments combining hotels, branded residences, and commercial facilities are also taking shape across the emirate.
The large-scale Wynn resort development and Janu's expansion into Al Marjan Island are two prominent examples of this transformation.
Of course, major investments do not guarantee success. Changes in tourism demand, rising development costs, and shifts in the global economy could all influence the region's future growth.
Nevertheless, the decision by multiple international hospitality brands to establish a presence in the same destination is a significant development, one that investors and industry observers may find increasingly difficult to overlook.
The Future of Global Luxury
The value offered by the world’s leading luxury brands is no longer defined solely by elegant accommodations or exceptional architecture.
Dining, wellness, human connection, and the quality of everyday life are becoming increasingly important elements of the luxury experience.
A growing trend is emerging in which the exceptional experiences once reserved for luxury hotel stays are being integrated into everyday living.
Janu’s latest development is one example of this evolution.
As international hospitality brands continue to establish a presence in Ras Al Khaimah, an important question remains: What kind of destination will this emerging luxury hub become in the years ahead?
Perhaps the reason global investors are turning their attention to the UAE lies not only in the luxury and opportunities it offers today, but also in the potential of a future that has yet to fully take shape.
Janu Al Marjan Island – Official Website
Janu Residences, Al Marjan Island – Official Website
Eat Well · Feel Well · Live Well Editorial Team
A Switzerland-based online magazine exploring what makes places, experiences and ideas worthwhile. Published in English and Japanese, EFL features hotels and restaurants to visit, ideas to try at your table, and perspectives from culture and art to enrich everyday life. We offer information to help you choose and stories that deepen your enjoyment of each experience.
