New CEO to lead Ras Al Khaimah Tourism to next phase in UAE

Hospitality veteran Raki Phillips is to lead the next phase of Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism development, as CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab emirates. Phillips, who has worked for global brands, including Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Universal Studios Orlando, will be responsible for delivering the authority’s recently announced Destination Strategy 2019-2021, which aims to attract 1.5m visitors to the Emirate by 2021 and 3m by 2025. Phillips takes over the reins from Haitham Mattar, whose four-year tenure as CEO of RAKTDA saw the destination exceed the target of one million visitors in the first three years. His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, thanked Mattar for his efforts in positioning the Emirate as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. “Mattar’s four years leading Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has resulted in a tourism strategy that has grown the reputation of Ras Al Khaimah internationally and put the Emirate firmly on the world map. I would like to thank Haitham for his leadership of the authority and for presiding over a phase of tourism and hospitality development that has seen exceptional levels of growth. With his groundwork, we are very well placed to move forward to the next phase of development in our thriving tourism industry under Raki Phillips, whom I welcome to his new role,” said His Highness Sheikh Saud. RAKTDA’s first tourism strategy was launched in January 2016 and was responsible for accelerating visitor growth and raising the contribution of the tourist sector to the Emirate’s GDP. The strategy introduced new tourism demand generators, including the world’s longest zip line and the Middle East’s first via ferrata, both of which helped position Ras Al Khaimah as the region’s nature-based adventure hub. Phillips will be charged with implementing RAKTDA’s Destination Strategy 2019-2021 and supervising a number of key projects, with notable development projects on Jebel Jais including multiple zip lines, adventure park hiking trails, the Bear Grylls Survival Academy and a luxury camp.