The Week in RAK: 21 to 27 September 2026

21 to 27 September 2026. A three-minute read.

The news from Ras Al Khaimah that matters if you are thinking of buying or living here.

Number of the week

18%. The rise in RAK apartment prices over a year, according to CBRE's half-year review published on 21 September. Cavendish Maxwell's own half-year review, published on 2 September, put the rise at 6.5%.

Economy and business

RAK's chamber opens a door to Miami. RAK Chamber of Commerce signed a letter of intent with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce on 25 September. The two will share market information, exchange trade delegations and arrange meetings between companies.

A quarry group invests in its RAK plant. Stevin Rock, one of the world's largest quarrying companies, awarded two contracts to Ireland's CDE to design and build a sand and aggregates wash plant in RAK. The value was not disclosed.

RAK opens a training centre for its workforce. The RAK government's Department of Human Resources launched the RAK People Hub on 22 September. Its first courses cover AI in the workplace and moving Emirati graduates into jobs. Registration opened at the launch.

3,700 UK-linked businesses in one free zone. RAKEZ told a British Chamber of Commerce Dubai briefing on 21 September that it hosts more than 50,000 companies across more than 50 sectors, including more than 3,700 with UK links.

RAK's factories log their safety record. RAKEZ recognised Vesuvius for one million safe working hours at its RAK plant and Ni Met Recycling for an EcoVadis gold rating. Sobha Modular Industries and AG Metal Industries received five-star safety ratings.

Property and building

Two consultancies, two numbers. CBRE has RAK apartment prices up 18% in a year, to AED 2,298 per sq ft, and villas up 7.3%. Cavendish Maxwell has apartments up 6.5% and villas up 5.9%. CBRE's own figure for completed apartments, excluding new launches, is 11%.

Al Marjan Island leads the rise. CBRE has apartment prices on Al Marjan Island up 23.1% in a year. In Al Hamra they are up 14.7%.

Rents: 14.3% or 7.8%, depending on who is counting. CBRE reports RAK apartment rents up 14.3% in a year. REIDIN's August index, reported here last week, has them up 7.8%.

34,000 homes on the way. CBRE expects more than 34,000 homes to be delivered in RAK between 2026 and 2030, about 10,000 of them branded residences. In July Cavendish Maxwell counted about 25,600 planned over the same period. Officials expect about 250,000 more residents by 2030.

The biggest home sale in RAK's history. CBRE lists the first-half sale of the Sky Palace at the Waldorf Astoria Residences in Al Hamra at USD 35.4 million, about AED 130 million, the highest residential transaction the emirate has recorded. A Sky Mansion at the Mondrian on Al Marjan Island sold for USD 34.7 million.

A 35-bedroom palace for AED 23.5 million. The Al Qasimi Palace, built in 1985 and run as a museum since 2019, was listed for sale on 24 September. The asking price is AED 22.5 million empty or AED 23.5 million with its contents. The plot is 191,742 sq ft.

Mondrian releases its held-back two-bedroom homes. Elevate released two-bedroom beachfront homes with connected guest suites at the Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences, sold together or separately, on a 40:60 payment plan.

Living and visiting

9,000 hotel rooms today, 8,500 more by 2030. CBRE counts about 9,000 rooms across 60 hotels in RAK, with 8,500 more planned between 2027 and 2030. More than 80% of the planned rooms are five-star. Wynn Al Marjan Island's 1,530 rooms are hotel inventory, not homes for sale.

More visitors, less revenue per room. RAK Tourism Development Authority figures, restated by CBRE, show 670,400 hotel visitors in the first half of 2026, up 2.7%. Occupancy was 49%. Revenue per available room fell 28.6% to AED 348 a night, while the average room rate rose 5.2% to AED 705.60.

Golf returns to Al Hamra. The Indian Golf Premier League played a three-day event at Al Hamra Golf Club from 23 to 25 September, ending with a night final.

Accessible taxis double. RAK Transport Authority increased its fleet of wheelchair-accessible taxis for People of Determination and older residents from two to four, bookable on 800 1700.

68 educators honoured. The Ruler of RAK presented the 20th RAK Awards for Educational Excellence to 68 recipients across 26 categories on 25 September.

If you are weighing a specific RAK development and want to know how it fits this picture, ask us.