Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry (Abu Dhabi), Issam Kazim (Dubai) and Phillipa Harrison (Ras Al Khaimah)

The emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the UAE Yachting Alliance, in a bid “to position the UAE as an interconnected yachting destination and accelerate the growth of marine tourism across the country”.

The MoU was signed at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show by representatives of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).

The alliance will focus on developing integrated cruising routes and yachting itineraries that make it easier for yachts to travel seamlessly between the emirates, offering visitors multiple destinations and encouraging longer stays.

As well as improving connectivity, the alliance will coordinate international promotion through joint participation at yacht shows and marine tourism events, develop joint marketing campaigns and destination content, and advocate for more streamlined superyacht processes.

Dubai, the country’s second-largest and most populous emirate, is the country’s leading tourism and yachting hub, and home to the annual Dubai International Boat Show, the Middle East’s biggest yachting event, scheduled this year for November 25-29.

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, part of the DET, said: “The formation of the UAE Yachting Alliance marks an important moment in strengthening collaboration across the nation’s tourism sector. This partnership complements our wider strategy to grow the yachting segment while supporting the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to elevate Dubai as a leading global destination for business and leisure.

“By connecting marinas, coastlines and experiences more closely, we can give yacht owners, charter operators and visitors greater choice, flexibility and even more reasons to explore the UAE as part of a single journey.”

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and its largest emirate, occupying most of the country. Although it doesn’t have as many marinas or berths as Dubai, Abu Dhabi has a wider array of yachting destinations and the country’s largest cruising grounds, with about 700km of coastline.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, DCT Abu Dhabi’s Director General for Tourism, stated: “The UAE Yachting Alliance will significantly accelerate the growth of Abu Dhabi’s luxury tourism sector. By creating seamless cruising routes with Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, we are making our capital’s coastal treasures more accessible than ever to the global yachting community.

“The Alliance will enable charter operators, destination management companies and industry partners to develop curated itineraries that showcase the best of the UAE, connecting Abu Dhabi’s world-class lifestyle marinas, the cultural attractions of Saadiyat Island and the pristine natural beauty of destinations such as Sir Bani Yas Island.”

Ras Al Khaimah, the country’s northernmost emirate and its fourth-largest in terms of land size, is playing an increasingly important role in yachting, with RAK Maritime City home to Sunreef’s first production facility outside of Poland.

Phillipa Harrison, CEO of RAKTDA, added: “The UAE Yachting Alliance supports our ambition to welcome more than 3.5 million annual visitors to Ras Al Khaimah by 2030.

“Ras Al Khaimah offers an experience the international yachting community rarely finds at one anchorage, including 68km of coastline with the dramatic Hajar Mountains rising as its backdrop, a gateway to authentic Emirati culture, and iconic upcoming hospitality with world-class marinas such as the Wynn Al Marjan Island.”

dubaidet.gov.ae / visitdubai.com

dctabudhabi.ae / visitabudhabi.ae

raktda.com / visitrasalkhaimah.com