Ras Al Khaimah’s property market saw strong demand in the first half of 2026, with apartment prices rising 18% year-on-year, according to research by CBRE. The emirate has continued to attract capital and new businesses despite a challenging regional economic backdrop.
In the first half of 2026, developers pushed forward with significant residential, hospitality, and infrastructure initiatives. Non-oil trade hit $526 billion, a 13.1% increase from the previous year. The purchasing managers’ index climbed to 55.3 in August, signaling ongoing growth in the non-oil sector.
During the first six months of the year, the chamber of commerce reported AED771.5 million in fresh investment capital across 967 newly established businesses. These ventures attracted 1,399 investors from 68 countries and are projected to generate 2,449 jobs.
Apartment sale prices surged by approximately 18% year-on-year in the first half, reaching 2,298 dirhams per square foot, while villa prices rose by 7.3%. The most significant price increases occurred in well-established waterfront areas, with Al Marjan Island apartments seeing a 23.1% annual rise.
The market recorded several high-value residential transactions during the period, including a Sky Palace at Waldorf Astoria Residences sold for $35.4 million, making it the highest-value residential transaction recorded in Ras Al Khaimah. A penthouse in the same development sold for $15 million, while a Sky Mansion at Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences changed hands for $34.7 million.
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Apartment rents rose 14.3% year-on-year, led by gains in Mina Al Arab and Al Marjan Island. They expect more than 34,000 residential units to be delivered in the emirate between 2026 and 2030, including about 10,000 branded residences.
Ras Al Khaimah welcomed a record 670,400 hotel guests in the first half, a 2.7% increase from the previous year, partly due to higher domestic and Gulf visitor numbers. However, hotel performance weakened, with average occupancy at 49% and revenue per available room dropping 28.6% to 348 dirhams.
Hotels earned over 606 million dirhams in the first six months, with 385 million from room revenue and 192 million from food and beverage services. The emirate is also enhancing transport and tourism infrastructure, including expanding Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and improving its mobility network.
Matthew Green, Head of Research at CBRE Mena, said: “The pace of change we are witnessing in Ras Al Khaimah continues to impress. Despite a more challenging regional backdrop, investor interest in the emirate remains evident, supported by a growing pipeline of high-profile development and infrastructure projects.”
With ongoing major hospitality, residential, and tourism projects, Ras Al Khaimah is poised to solidify its position as a leading investment and lifestyle destination in the UAE. The $5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort is set to open in September 2027, further boosting the emirate’s tourism sector.
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