Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi believes in diversification

As such, he's focused on tourist-friendly amenities, hotel developments and commercial projects that can introduce RAK to the entire international community. Eclectic, luxurious projects like Mina Al Arab blend cultural refinement, natural beauty and practical amenities in a comprehensive package.

Rather than focus on constructing flashy monuments to personal vanity or uninspired blocks of flats, companies like RAK Properties and Al Hamra Real Estate Development are creating a vibrant, mixed-use emirate that welcomes international investment with open arms. This mature, long-term approach has boosted RAK Properties' sales by more than 12 percent over the past year.

What's more, the company has restarted work on its signature luxury hotel at Mina Al Arab and plans to break ground on several additional projects in the coming quarters.

The financial crisis of the late 2000s affected virtually every major real estate market in some way, but the foresight and resolve of Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi ensured that his emirate would avoid the worst of its effects.

On top of growing sales volumes and robust profits at RAK's biggest development companies, international hospitality companies and corporations have begun to make major investments in the emirate. For example, the new Waldorf Astoria hotel recently replaced the brand's venerable New York outpost as its flagship property. This is sure to be a big draw for people all over the world, from Minnesota to Germany.

Thank You!

Thank You!