Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate market held its growth trajectory in the first half of 2026, even as regional conflict weighed on the broader UAE economy, according to new research from CBRE Middle East.
The UAE’s GDP is now forecast to contract by around 1.5 per cent this year, with trade, tourism and economic activity all affected by ongoing regional disruption.
Yet the emirate continued to attract capital and new businesses, the report said. The RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry recorded AED 771.5 million in new investment capital across 967 newly registered establishments during the period, drawing 1,399 investors from 68 nationalities.
“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. While we are beginning to see a moderation in some performance indicators including absorption levels and sales pricing following an exceptional period of growth, overall activity levels remain positive. With major hospitality, residential and tourism projects continuing to progress, Ras Al Khaimah is well positioned to strengthen its role as one of the UAE’s most compelling investment and lifestyle destinations in the coming years,” Matthew Green, Head of Research at CBRE MENA said in a statement.F
Residential prices posted solid gains. Apartment sales values rose by around 18.0 per cent year-on-year to AED 2,298 per sq. ft., while villa sales were up 7.3 per cent over the same period. Al Marjan Island led price growth among established waterfront communities, with apartment values there rising 23.1 per cent year-on-year; Al Hamra followed at 14.7 per cent. The ready market also performed well, with apartment and villa values up 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively compared with H1 2025.
The period produced a string of record-setting transactions. The Sky Palace at Waldorf Astoria Residences sold for $35.4 million, the highest-value residential deal in the emirate’s history. A penthouse in the same project sold for $15 million, and a Sky Mansion at Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences transacted at $34.7 million. Apartment rents also climbed, rising 14.3 per cent year-on-year.
A substantial supply wave is approaching. More than 34,000 residential units are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2030, with around 10,000 of those classified as branded residences. Recent launches include The Strand and Lunara by RAK Properties, the AED 25 billion Evermore masterplan by Beyond Developments, and Karl Lagerfeld Beach Residences on Al Marjan Island.
The tourism picture was more mixed. Visitor numbers hit a record 670,400 hotel guests in H1 2026, up 2.7 per cent year-on-year, with domestic and GCC arrivals each rising 47 per cent. But hotel operating performance softened: occupancy averaged 49 per cent and Revenue per Available Room fell 28.6 per cent year-on-year to AED 348 per room per night, even as Average Daily Rates rose 5.2 per cent to AED 705.6. Total sector revenues exceeded AED 606 million for the half-year.
The emirate currently has around 9,000 operational hotel keys across 60 hotels, with a further 8,500 keys planned between 2027 and 2030. More than 80 per cent of future supply will be positioned in the five-star category, and nearly two-thirds will sit on Al Marjan Island.
The $5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, now expected to open in September 2027, remains the centrepiece of the hospitality pipeline.
