The international developer and operator of luxury resorts, Wynn Resorts, announced its plans for a new multibillion-dollar integrated resort (IR) on the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Wynn Announces Plans for a New Multibillion-Dollar IR
The new resort is going to be developed by Wynn in collaboration with Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding. The location of the multibillion-dollar resort is going to be Al Marjan Island, which is already a spectacular tourist destination. The island is located 45 minutes from the International Airport in Dubai and only 15 minutes from the airport in Ras Al Khaimah.
Wynn revealed that the new resort is going to be “developed with significant foreign direct investment by Wynn Resorts.” Moreover, this makes the project the largest of its kind when it comes to the hospitality sector in the United Arab Emirates. The luxury resort is expected to impact the local economy positively by creating jobs, helping accelerate tourism and bringing growth to the whole hospitality sector.
The Company Is Excited about the Potential That the Region Holds
Overall, there are 29 million square feet of reclaimed land into the Arabian Gulf that represents the Al Marjan Island. The IR is expected to cover some 2,700,000 square feet, offering visitors incredible views of the Arabian Gulf and the sandy beaches. Besides the largest project in the hospitality sector of the country, the new resort is the first beach resort developed by Wynn.
“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.”
Craig Billings, CEO at Wynn Resorts
Wynn Resorts’ newly appointed CEO, Craig Billings, acknowledged that Al Marjan Island represents the ideal location for the company to create incredible user experiences. Moreover, he acknowledged that the region itself holds significant potential for growth in the hospitality and tourism industries. In conclusion, Billings said that Wynn is “excited about the prospect of developing an integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah.”
Is Gaming Coming to the United Arab Emirates?
Currently, the IR is expected to feature a luxury hotel with more than 1,000 rooms, as well as a high-end shopping mall. Moreover, the venue would feature a top-of-the-line meeting and convention facility, more than 10 restaurants, lounges and an exclusive spa.
When it comes to entertainment, the project features a gaming area among other entertainment amenities. Undoubtedly, this comes as a surprise, considering that UAE’s official religion, Islam, which forbids any form of gambling. With that in mind, Wynn did not release further details on what those gaming facilities would feature. So far, the company estimates to complete the resort in 2026.
Wynn is not the first casino operator that has built a resort in UAE. Back in 2014, the leading casino operator Caesars started building a massive luxury resort in Dubai. The venue was completed in 2018 and it opened doors for visitors but without offering gambling activities.