Monaco : The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the UAE Yachting Alliance, marking the first formal collaboration of its kind between the three emirates to position the UAE as an interconnected yachting destination and accelerate the growth of marine tourism across the country.
Signed during the opening day of the Monaco Yacht Show, one of the world’s most influential gatherings for the global yachting industry, the agreement establishes a framework for creating a unified platform for the three emirates to engage with the international yachting industry, promote the UAE as an interconnected maritime hub and attract more yacht owners, charter operators and marine tourism businesses.
The alliance will focus on developing integrated cruising routes and yachting itineraries that make it easier for yachts to travel seamlessly between the emirates. By creating more connected itineraries, the collaboration aims to encourage longer stays, enable visitors to experience multiple destinations, the uniqueness of each emirate and enable new opportunities for businesses across the emirates.
Together, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah offer a diverse range of cruising experiences, from vibrant waterfront destinations and world-class marinas to cultural landmarks, island experiences, beaches and mountain landscapes, giving yacht owners and charter operators access to a variety of destinations within a single itinerary.
Beyond improving connectivity between destinations, 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.
The collaboration will help strengthen the UAE’s marine tourism offering through a more coordinated approach to destination promotion, supported by a vibrant calendar of international yachting events and experiences that encourage visitors to explore multiple emirates.
H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “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. In doing so, it will create new opportunities for visitors while generating high-value economic benefits across our tourism and maritime sectors.”
H.E. Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (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. Furthermore, we are building on the distinct strengths of each emirate, enabling the yachting community to enjoy the diverse variety of offerings in Dubai, and deliver in partnership with stakeholders across the public and private sector greater collective value for the industry and the UAE as a whole.”
Phillipa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, added: “The UAE Yachting Alliance will firmly position the UAE as one of the most compelling yachting destinations globally with diverse and complementary experiences across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. It comes at a moment of significant investment in our waterfront and 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 68 kilometres 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.
