The recent news that Wynn Resorts has been granted the UAE’s first ever commercial gaming licence for an integrated resort on Al Marjan Island has catapulted Ras Al Khaimah into the global consciousness, with the northern emirate suddenly becoming a hotbed of international investment and development. Aiming to position Ras Al Khaimah as a premier events and entertainment destination, RAK Hospitality partnered with some of the world’s leading event organisers – Backbone International, TWOFIFTYK, and Tribe Company – to launch Seven Wonders: a series of seven events, with seven artists, set to take place over seven weekends in 2025, across seven spectacular locations showing off the very best that the emirate has to offer.
To announce the extraordinary Seven Wonders initiative, RAK Hospitality hosted an exclusive launch event at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert on 24 October, with 1,000 lucky attendees treated to an immersive four-hour audiovisual experience, culminating in a spectacular finale featuring renowned DJ Armin Van Buuren’s Pillars of Creation live performance.
Catching up with TPiMEA after the dust had settled on the opening event, RAK Hospitality COO Donald Bremner recalled the origins of the project and explained the rationale behind it. “The entry of Wynn Resorts into Ras Al Khaimah is set to have a monumental effect, transforming RAK from a predominantly all-inclusive tourism location to a destination that welcomes high discretionary spend customers who will expect a variety of dining, cultural and entertainment options,” he began. “Hosting world-class events not only amplifies our marketing capability and allows us to promote the emirate to a wider global audience, but it gives us a platform to build the infrastructure required to deliver these experiences.”
With precious little experience in delivering large-scale events, Bremner realised immediately that expert guidance would be required if the organisation’s goals were to be achieved. “We knew that we needed production capability and to bring people in who understand how to build the infrastructure required for events,” he explained. “My dear friend and colleague, Thijs van Rhoon, who has been running this project with me, had prior experience of working with Backbone International, so he introduced me to Pieter [Lubberts, Managing Director Europe, Backbone International] and from the very first meeting, he and his team were awesome.”
Photos: UNFOUND, courtesy of RAK Hospitality
