Wynn Resorts Ltd, the US-listed developer, and operator of luxury resorts will build a multibillion-dollar integrated resort on the artificial Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), one of the seven United Arab Emirates.
The spectacular Island is only 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport. Al Marjan boasts five miles of sandy beaches and 14 miles of waterfront, as well as world-class hotels and residential developments.
The new integrated resort will offer a pristine setting and spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf, with sparkling beaches and a marina. It will be the first beach-front resort developed by Wynn Resorts globally, with a 1,000+ room hotel, a high-end shopping mall, a state-of-the-art conference facility, a luxury spa, more than ten restaurants and lounges, a variety of entertainment choices, and a gaming area.
Abdulla Al Abdooli, CEO of Marjan, said, “The integrated development will add to the Emirate’s destination strategy to attract tourists from across the world… By leveraging Wynn Resorts’ expertise in developing luxury hospitality destinations, the new development will raise the benchmark in luxury hospitality in the region,” adding that the new integrated resort highlights the fast-growing recognition of Ras Al Khaimah as a leading destination for high-end hospitality projects.
According to Craig Billings, the newly appointed CEO of Wynn Resorts: “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. 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.”
The new development might be the first to bring “gaming,” a euphemism for gambling, to the UAE. Caesars Palace does operate a massive resort in Dubai, but without gambling. However, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority affirmed on Tuesday that gaming was part of the plan for the new Wynn Resorts project, stating that a new gaming division would require “compliance with all applicable laws and regulations (including financial crime laws) from operators, suppliers, and employees… [to] ensure responsible gaming at all levels.”
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