India ‘critically important’ to Wynn Al Marjan, says president
India will play a key role in the future success of Wynn Al Marjan Island, according to the president of the $5.1 billion integrated resort, who believes the country’s rapidly evolving travel market makes it a natural fit for the development in the UAE.
Speaking to the magazine Robb Report India, Wynn Al Marjan’s President Max Tappeiner described India as a “critically important market”, pointing to both its proximity to the UAE and changing travel preferences among Indian tourists.
According to Tappeiner, Indian travellers are increasingly looking beyond traditional holidays and are now seeking personalised, experience-led trips.
“Indian travellers are at an inflection point where their hierarchy of needs is driven by personalization, curation and experiential depth,” he said.
IR for multiple experiences
He added that integrated resorts are well positioned to meet those expectations by bringing together multiple experiences in one destination. “The integrated resort experience resonates strongly with them because it delivers every dimension of escape, from entertainment, family, beach, dining, retail and wellness, all within one destination,” Tappeiner said.
He also highlighted the growing popularity of multi-generational travel among Indian families, saying Wynn’s accommodation, restaurants and family-friendly facilities are being designed with those visitors in mind.
To strengthen its presence ahead of the resort’s opening, Wynn has already begun building relationships across India. The company is working with travel advisors, wedding planners and airline partners in major metropolitan cities, while also targeting emerging markets such as Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Jaipur.
Tappeiner said India’s close geographical location makes it a natural source market for the resort once it opens. The comments are not the first indication of Wynn’s focus on India. In late 2025, company executives also identified Indian tourism as an important driver of the property’s long-term success.
India: Key tourism driver
India has become one of the UAE’s largest international tourism markets in recent years. According to industry data, around 7.8 million Indians travelled to the UAE in 2024, making it the country’s largest outbound destination and continuing a steady rise from previous years.
Beyond India, Wynn is positioning Al Marjan Island as a luxury destination capable of competing with some of the region’s most established hospitality brands. Rather than defining luxury through size alone, Tappeiner said the company wants to focus on creating memorable guest experiences.
He explained that every guest room has been individually designed, with bespoke furnishings intended to make visitors feel as though they are staying in “an elevated version of their dream home.”
“In this region, guests already expect the finest materials and the grandest spaces, so that is merely our starting point,” he said. “What we add is the artistry, the obsession with craft and the layers that turn a stay into a memory.”
Wynn Al Marjan Island is expected to become the UAE’s first integrated resort with gaming when it opens in Ras Al Khaimah in 2027. The company recently acknowledged that construction could face a modest delay because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, Wynn has maintained that the impact is expected to be limited and the project remains on course for its planned 2027 launch.
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