Exclusive: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Chief to Leave for Role at Accor
Raki Phillips is stepping down as CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), Skift can exclusively reveal. Phillips will be moving to Accor where he will be regional president for the operator's premium, midscale & economy division in Middle East, Africa and Turkey.
Phillips will leave the tourism authority in October and relocate to Dubai, where Accor's regional headquarters are based. He starts his new role in November.
In a statement sent to Skift, Accor explained Phillips will oversee hotel operations across more than 250 properties in 27 countries, as well as a pipeline of over 85 hotels. He will report to Duncan O'Rourke, CEO of Accor's Premium, Midscale & Economy division in Middle East Africa & Asia Pacific, and succeeds Paul Stevens, who was COO of the division since 2023.
On bringing in Phillips, O'Rourke explained: 'As we move into the next stage of growth in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, it's important we strengthen our leadership presence locally. With his deep understanding of the region, and strong relationships across both public and private sectors, Raki is perfectly positioned to deepen our community ties, accelerate development, and continue to elevate the strength of our brands.'
Phillips' move marks a return to Accor. From 2012 to 2015, he served as regional director overseeing the group's Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands across the Middle East, Africa, and India.
Impact in Ras Al Khaimah
During his six-year tenure, Phillips led Ras Al Khaimah's shift from a lesser-known UAE destination into one of the country's fastest-growing development hubs. The emirate recorded its highest-ever visitor numbers — 1.28 million — in 2024. The emirate is targeting 3.5 million visitors a year by 2030.
RAKTDA licensed and managed more than 60 hotels and built a development pipeline exceeding 15,000 room keys.
Phillips was also instrumental in securing the UAE's largest foreign direct investment to date: a $5.4 billion Wynn Resorts project on Al Marjan Island. The development, slated to open in 2027, will feature the Middle East's first regulated gaming facility.
Since Wynn's announcement in early 2022, Al Marjan Island has become a magnet for luxury hotel developers. Marriott has signed four five-star properties for the island—JW Marriott, Westin, Le Méridien, and W Hotels. Boutique brands like Nobu are also entering the market.
Ras Al Khaimah's hotel supply is set to double by 2027, with nearly 7,000 new room keys in the pipeline. An additional 1,000 keys are under discussion for openings before the end of the decade, according to government data.
'Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announces that CEO Raki Phillips will step down in October 2025 after six transformative years,' said a statement from the tourism authority. 'During his tenure, Mr. Phillips helped lead the Authority's effort to drive the Emirate's bold vision to become the 'Destination of the Future.''
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