Officials from the UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah, the emirate that is home to Wynn’s US$5.7 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort project, recently visited Las Vegas to explore potential business partnerships linked to tourism.
According to a report by The Nevada Independent, the visit formed part of a broader initiative that saw the group meet with local officials in Miami, New York, Florida, Michigan and Utah in order to “learn from US tourism leaders, government officials and economic development representatives on how to create business opportunities.”
Ras Al Khaimah is seen as one of the UAE’s most exciting emerging business and tourism hubs, with much of its recent growth anchored around Wynn Al Marjan Island. Upon scheduled opening in September 2027, the property will house the only licensed casino-resort in the region.
Carel Richter, an adviser on international relations to emirate ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, described tourism as “the fastest growing sector at the moment, which could triple its contribution to our [gross domestic product] over the next decade,” according to The Neveda Independent’s report.
“The emirate is a growing business hub and Wynn has been a catalyst for this expansion.”
While in Las Vegas, the UAE delegation held meetings with Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill and Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, with Hill stating, “They’re kind of stepping into this in a big way. They were looking for thoughts on how to structure things, putting on trade shows or sporting events. We’re happy to answer those questions, particularly when we have hometown folks who are doing business there.”
Richter added that a priority of Ras Al Khaimah is to improve infrastructure, including access to the Wynn resort.
“We have road infrastructure improvements and we’re looking at building 45,000 housing units,” Richter said. “Beyond real estate we’re growing across many areas. The manufacturing sector is growing.”
Also in Las Vegas last month for the G2E trade show was Ciarán Carruthers – CEO of the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) – who outlined his desire to establish the UAE as an exemplar of regulator and operator collaboration.
Wynn CEO Craig Billings also spoke at G2E, revealing the group only missed a single day of construction due to the Middle East war and insisted supply chains are now “completely normal.” The nearby conflict has, however, contributed to a recent US$600 million increase in the project’s projected cost, up from US$5.1 billion to US$5.7 billion.
RelatedPosts
