In its Middle East growth plan, the UAE is set to play a critical role in the Ascott Limited’s next stage of expansion thanks to the hospitality company’s plan to launch a new major resort in Ras Al Khaimah as part of its development of 16 hotels in the region by 2028.
The new plan of Ascott, which was unveiled on September 15, 2026, includes Al Mahra Resort by The Crest Collection in Ras Al Khaimah, which is a significant 539-key project expected to be ready in 2028. The project is noteworthy because it will allow Ascott to strengthen its presence in a UAE emirate that is making the transition to a major international tourism hub.
The Ras Al Khaimah project is even more important considering the emirate is working on the impressive process of transforming itself into a popular tourist destination. Amid extensive tourism growth and a significant increase in 2025 as the emirate received 1.35 million visitors and noted a 12% year-on-year growth in tourism revenue, the emirate outlined its ambitious target of reaching 3.5 million yearly tourists by 2030.
This exceptional growth trajectory offers an exciting opportunity for Ascott’s 539-room property. Ras Al Khaimah features an enticing mix of coastlines, deserts, and mountain ranges, with Jebel Jais reaching a remarkable 1,934 m, the highest point in the UAE. Additionally, this emirate is on a mission to multiply its lodging capacity in anticipation of a surge in international demand.
Ascott’s development plan in REAT will take place in stages. Two resorts with a total room count of 176 are expected to open before the end of 2026, and further projects are to be launched in 2027. In total, nine hotels are planned for 2028, including the UAE property and Al Theeb Tower by The Crest Collection in Riyadh, which will feature 211 apartments.
The expansion fits perfectly with Ascott’s plan as they aim to achieve 15,000 units in that region by the year 2030. They had also reported that their occupancy rate had gone beyond 70% from early 2026, which shows the significance of flexible accommodation in the plans of Ascott.
For the case of the UAE, the message is straightforward: the rise of Ras Al Khaimah attracts more and more global investments in the hospitality sector, and Ascott’s Al Mahra Resort with 539 units may become another significant landmark in that process.
