Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The UAE is one of the safest places in the world, and the Uzbek capital is a popular starting point for visiting the country, stated Iad Rasbey, Vice President of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Department, during a presentation on the emirate’s tourism potential.

Iad Rasbey emphasized that "the UAE is one of the safest places in the world, and we are witnessing growing interest from Uzbek tourists. The country is home to representatives of more than 200 nationalities, including a significant Uzbek diaspora. Ras Al Khaimah is a rapidly developing emirate with a population of around 450,000. Unlike overcrowded metropolises, we offer a comfortable vacation environment with 8,000 hotel rooms, most of which are located along the coast,” he noted.

Rasbey highlighted that the emirate aims to attract 3.5 million tourists by 2030. According to him, this goal is achievable due to the active development of infrastructure and an increase in flight connections.

"We are seeing a sharp rise in tourist arrivals from Uzbekistan – in January 2025, the number of visitors increased by 195% compared to the same period last year. We are working on improving air connectivity and already have flights from Budapest, Moscow, Tashkent, the Maldives, Jeddah, Warsaw, Tbilisi, and Hyderabad," he said.

In 2024, two new hotels opened in the emirate, including the Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort. Over the next four years, an additional 7,500 hotel rooms are expected to be introduced, with major brands such as Four Seasons, Nobu, Wynn, Nikki Beach, and W Hotel among them.

"We strive to become the destination of the future. Most of our hotels are four- and five-star beachfront resorts offering all-inclusive packages, catering to family vacations with kids’ clubs, attractions, and water parks," Rasbey emphasized.

He also underscored the emirate’s commitment to sustainability: “We are actively working to reduce our environmental footprint. In recent years, we have cut energy consumption by 23%, greenhouse gas emissions by 29%, and waste volume by 61%.

We became the first tourism organization in the region to receive the EarthCheck Silver Certification.”

Ras Al Khaimah is also focusing on inclusive tourism. “In partnership with SAGE Inclusion, we are creating conditions for tourists with special needs, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a barrier-free vacation,” added Rasbey.

Beyond its beach resorts, the emirate offers a wide range of activities. “We take pride in having four sites listed in UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List, as well as traditional pearl farms, where visitors can witness the pearl harvesting process, and a unique opportunity to swim with camels. For adventure enthusiasts, we offer desert safaris, horseback riding, and hot air balloon flights,” he said.

Concluding the presentation, Rasbey stressed that Ras Al Khaimah is a year-round tourist destination.

"Even in summer, we welcome many visitors, especially from Uzbekistan. We boast 64 kilometers of beaches, the UAE’s highest peak—Jebel Jais (1,934 meters), and breathtaking desert landscapes. We are confident that Uzbek tourists will find the perfect getaway here," he concluded.