The next Dubai? Tiny emirate is luring billionaires and tourists

The Rixos Bab Al Bahr all-inclusive luxury beach resort on Al Marjan Island.

Sun, 16 Jul 2023

From Ben Bartenstein, Alexander Sazonov and photographer Christopher Pike From the top of the RAK International Corporate Centre, foreign tycoons can catch a glimpse of a city transforming. A long stretch of desert lies toward the north. Luxury villas dot the Persian Gulf coast to the west. A few kilometres away, Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts is planning a project that it intends to be a US$3.9 billion (NZ$6.1b) gaming resort. This is Ras Al Khaimah, a northern territory of the United Arab Emirates about 45 minutes' drive...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Travel

Transylvania's last Saxons revive its stunning ghost villages

They fled Romania's communist dictator. Decades later, they've come home.

Agence France-Presse 5:00am

Health Opinion

Working later in life a lifesaver for some, a drag for others

'It keeps us healthy and gives us an extra reason to get up in the morning’.

The Washington Post 5:00am

Working later in life a lifesaver for some, a drag for others

Services

A box of unopened mail for a Xmas gift. What could go wrong?

Mystery packages popular in the US, but things can quickly go from fun to weird.

The Wall Street Journal 5:00am

A box of unopened mail for a Xmas gift. What could go wrong?

Sponsored

Why Kiwis are embracing Bitcoin ETFs

The once hard-to-access investment option is becoming mainstream.

Smart

Sponsored

Boost worker health, boost results

Research shows flexible workspaces improve health and productivity

Regus

More Tourism

News in Brief

International visitor numbers stuck at 85% of pre-covid levels

Overseas visitor arrivals were 240,200 in October, an increase of 14,200 from October last year but 15% down on pre-pandemic levels.Stats New Zealand figures show the annual arrival total to October was just over 3.2 million, down around 17% on the bumper 2019 year and just ahead...

Staff reporters 13 Dec 2024