In a striking advancement for luxury tourism and international resort destinations, Wynn Resorts has made a grand announcement for the future opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island, slated to welcome the public in the early days of 2027. The resort will rise from the sandy coast of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, backed by a hefty investment of $3.9 billion. The locale, a first-of-its-kind beachfront resort for Wynn, began its construction phase in the dawn of 2023, marking a new chapter in high-end destination development.
Designed to transform the hospitality experience in the region, the Wynn Al Marjan Island will boast an expansive complex housing 1,542 rooms and suites, with the luxury of 22 private villa estates for those seeking an exclusive retreat. Visitors will find culinary paradise as the resort plans to offer an impressive array of 22 lounge, dining, and bar experiences, promising diverse gastronomic journeys. In addition, attendees to the venue can look forward to grand theatrical performances in a dedicated theatre space.
Retail therapy will transcend to new heights in a 15,000 square meter shopping esplanade designed to cater to the whims of every shopper, while a five-star spa will provide the ultimate sanctuary for rejuvenation. For guests with business or celebration in mind, the resort will include a state-of-the-art 7,500 square meter meetings and events center, crafted to host everything from high-stake conferences to lavish weddings.
The visionary behind the resort’s aesthetic and functional design, Todd Lenahan, president and chief creative officer of Wynn’s design and development sector, expressed his belief that Wynn Al Marjan Island has the potential to emerge as the jewel of the region. He elucidated that the design of the towering 300-meter resort tower was inspired by Ras Al Khaimah’s storied importance as a navigational beacon, expressing a fervent hope that it would become a new landmark and a modern beacon for global travelers to the emirate.
Intriguingly, gambling in the UAE stands as a criminal offense, with stern laws in place that include potential incarceration and fines for violators. However, the UAE witnessed a game-changing announcement in September with the establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This was a signal of the state’s shifting perspective, as the GCGRA is tasked with crafting a regulatory framework for commercial gambling operations and the country’s national lottery.
The excitement within Wynn Resorts is palpable, signified by chief executive Craig Billings, who previously lauded the UAE as the most dynamic market opening in recent decades. Following the announcement of the company’s financial results for the year 2023, Billings proclaimed the immense growth opportunity the UAE venture represents, offering diversification for Wynn’s portfolio and the chance to introduce the brand into new territories.
Despite a licence not yet being granted, Wynn enjoys a first-mover advantage in the UAE market, with Billings hinting that the issuance of a Ras Al Khaimah licence is on the imminent horizon. Wynn’s anticipation is bolstered by its existing rapport with Asian markets, particularly Macau, which underpinned a staggering 73.9% revenue surge to $6.53 billion in FY2023 for Wynn.
In this financial upswing, operations in Macau injected $3.10 billion into the company’s coffers, of which $910.6 million was the fruit of Q4 alone. Wynn Macau, with a casino space of around 294,000 square feet, alongside the Wynn Palace and its 1,706 rooms, have both thrived immensely in the post-Covid-19 landscape, accumulating revenues of $1.89 billion and $1.21 billion respectively during FY2023.
The anticipation for the Wynn Al Marjan Island epitomizes the evolution of luxury tourism and entertainment, not just for Ras Al Khaimah, but for the entire region. As the regulatory landscape adjusts and construction proceeds, eyes from across the globe are set on the emergence of this new haven for supreme hospitality and groundbreaking entertainment experiences.
