Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah have formed the UAE Yachting Alliance, establishing their first formal three-emirate partnership to promote the country as a connected international yachting destination.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on the opening day of the Monaco Yacht Show by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.
The alliance will develop integrated cruising routes and itineraries intended to make it easier for yachts to travel between the three emirates. By packaging the destinations into a single journey, the authorities hope to encourage longer stays and generate more business for marinas, charter companies and other marine tourism operators.
The agreement also establishes a unified platform through which the emirates can engage with the international yachting industry, participate jointly in yacht shows and coordinate marketing campaigns.
A further objective is to advocate for more streamlined processes for visiting superyachts. Abu Dhabi and Dubai introduced a simplified protocol at the beginning of 2026, allowing sailing permits issued by either emirate to be recognised for travel between them and removing duplicate local entry and exit procedures.
One itinerary across three emirates
The alliance brings together three distinct cruising propositions: Abu Dhabi’s island and cultural attractions, Dubai’s established marina and waterfront infrastructure, and Ras Al Khaimah’s 68 kilometres of coastline beneath the Hajar Mountains.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said the partnership would help charter operators and destination management companies create itineraries linking Abu Dhabi’s marinas with Saadiyat Island and Sir Bani Yas Island.
“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,” he said.
Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said the alliance would give owners and charter operators greater choice while supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033.
“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,” Kazim said.
Ras Al Khaimah joins regional yachting push
The inclusion of Ras Al Khaimah significantly broadens the itinerary beyond the UAE’s two largest established yachting centres.
Phillipa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said the agreement coincided with substantial investment in the emirate’s waterfront and its ambition to attract more than 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.
She highlighted the emirate’s combination of coastline, mountain scenery, Emirati culture and expanding hospitality infrastructure, including the forthcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island and new marina developments.
The alliance has not yet released specific routes, implementation dates or details of any further regulatory changes. However, the agreement creates a formal framework for the three emirates to coordinate destination promotion and develop a more integrated yachting offer.
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