Ras Al Khaimah Sets World Record with 1000+ Drones in New Year’s Eve
The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates is once again poised to create history, aiming not just to break one but two Guinness World Records with its breathtaking New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza.
This sensational event will feature an extraordinary showcase spanning 8 minutes, boasting over 1,000 drones and an astonishing “carpet” of aquatic pyrotechnics. The primary objective is to set records for the “Longest straight-line drone display” and the “Longest chain of aquatic floating fireworks”.
Set against the stunning backdrop of a 4.5-kilometre shoreline, stretching from Al Marjan Island to Al Hamra Village, this display promises to captivate spectators with novel choreography and groundbreaking techniques never attempted.
Highest Recorded Visitors
With an estimated 50,000 spectators expected to attend, the celebration will showcase this Emirate’s grandeur and foster unity and joy among communities. The event will include a music festival featuring international artists, further enhancing the overall experience.
This year’s festivities underscore Ras Al Khaimah’s legacy of organizing record-breaking New Year’s Eve celebrations for five consecutive years. It also highlights its remarkable growth as a tourism destination, building on an exceptional year for tourism in 2023, with significant achievements propelling it towards attracting over 3 million annual visitors by 2030.
The Emirate is set to achieve its highest-ever annual number of visitors by surpassing the record numbers in 2022 by 7%. Moreover, the share of international visitors has increased to 51% in 2023, signaling a complete recovery in tourism.
In a commitment to sustainable tourism, Ras Al Khaimah earned EarthCheck’s Silver Certification this year, becoming the first destination in the Middle East to achieve this recognition. Additionally, it garnered praise from CNN Travel and Conde Nast Traveler, featuring in their lists of best destinations.
Jebel Jais, RAK’s highest mountain, offers thrilling attractions such as the Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip line at almost 3 km, and the UAE’s highest restaurant, 1484 by Puro.
Strategically located at the crossroads between Europe, Asia, and Africa, Ras Al Khaimah’s accessibility—within four hours’ flying time for a third of the world’s population—makes it an ideal hub for businesses aiming to expand into the UAE, Middle East, and Africa region.
The Emirate boasts a diverse economy, with no sector contributing more than 30% to its GDP. It is a pivotal factor in enhancing Ras Al Khaimah’s economic resilience. Holding consistent ‘A’ range ratings from Fitch and Standard & Poor’s international rating agencies for 15 years, Ras Al Khaimah is a multicultural society with a population of 0.4 million in 2023.
