Wynn Resorts to develop Middle East’s first integrated resort in UAE

The resort, scheduled to open in 2026, will sit on the man-made Al Marjan Island and will feature a gaming floor, more than 1,000 hotel rooms, as well as shops and meeting and convention facilities.

It will be located 15 minutes from the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, and 45 minutes from the Dubai International Airport.

Marjan is the “master-developer” of property in Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost of the UAE’s seven emirates. In this role, it is tasked by the government with developing the emirate as a tourism and investment destination.

The Al Marjan Island site is located around 65 miles from Dubai, the UAE’s largest city.

The two businesses will apply for an integrated resort licence from Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority in order to operate the site.

Marjan chief executive Abdulla Al Abdooli said Wynn’s track record in developing integrated resorts should help ensure the new venue attracts tourists to the site.

“The integrated development, featuring a world-class hotel, entertainment and gaming amenities, will add to the emirate’s destination strategy to attract tourists from across the world,” he said. “We are partnering with Wynn Resorts, one of the world’s most renowned integrated resort companies, which has a strong track record of developing luxury destinations with exceptional accommodation, dining, entertainment concepts and gaming facilities.

“By leveraging Wynn Resorts’ expertise in developing luxury hospitality destinations, the new development will raise the benchmark in luxury hospitality in the region. It will also create exceptional value to the Ras Al Khaimah economy and boost the leisure, business and MICE tourism sectors.”

Craig Billings, who became chief executive of Wynn Resorts in November 2021, said the Al Marjan site was a perfect location for a resort.

“Al Marjan Island is a pristine setting and an ideal greenfield location for us to create the one-of-a-kind guest experiences for which Wynn Resorts is renowned,” he said.

“The region offers tremendous potential for the hospitality and tourism industry, and we are excited about the prospect of developing an integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah.”