Latest news with #RAKTDA
Arabian Business
6 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Raki Phillips
As CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), Raki Phillips is responsible for the continued growth of the Emirate as a world-class tourism destination. This includes collaborating with key partners, regulating standards within the sector, developing the Emirate's tourism infrastructure and creating sustainable investment opportunities. In addition to improving the competitive performance of the tourism sector, Phillips is also tasked with the economic and social prosperity of Ras Al Khaimah while enhancing the quality of life for all its residents. Phillips is an award-winning hospitality veteran and a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with some of the world's most renowned brands including Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) and Universal Studios Orlando. He has always taken pride in what he has done from an early start, ever since he was a sandwich artist at Subway in the US earning his way through college to opening concepts such as JamDubai, District Lounge and Sugarmoo – a game-changing online dessert concept that was the first of its kind. Phillips has a colourful background, as an American national with Lebanese and Argentinian roots. As a fluent Arabic speaker he has a great understanding of the region having worked in the Middle East since 2005 and was recognized by Hotelier Middle East as one of the 'Top 20 Most Powerful Arab Hoteliers'. His previous role as Senior Partner and Senior Vice President of Development with International Hospitality Consulting Group (INHOCO), saw him develop hotel project pipelines exceeding $5 billion in assets and negotiating multimillion-dollar hotel deals for global luxury brands in over 25 markets worldwide. Phillips is a member of the Executive Board of RAK Airport and the Pacific Asia Travel Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida, and a MBA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix in Orlando.
Trade Arabia
27-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Mövenpick Al Marjan wins big at RAK Tourism Excellence Awards
Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island has made history at the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Excellence Awards, hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), by snapping up four of the most distinguished awards of the evening - affirming the resort's position as a leader in luxury hospitality, sustainability and culinary excellence. A five-star resort located on the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, Mövenpick Al Marjan Island boasts 418 well-designed rooms with unobstructed sea views, suites and chalets set against the picturesque backdrop of the Arabian Peninsula. The family friendly resort is set along a 300 m stretch of white sandy seashore with 28 beachfront suites featuring private swimming pools or terraces landscaped for peace and privacy. The awards ceremony, the first of its kind in the UAE, marked a new chapter in recognising outstanding contributions to Ras Al Khaimah's fast-growing tourism and hospitality sector. Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island stood out among a competitive lineup of top-tier hotels and resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, emerging as a multi-award winner across four pivotal categories: *Outstanding General Manager Award – Fabien Chesnais, a visionary hospitality leader known for steering the resort with purpose and passion. *Platinum Green Hotel Sustainability Award – The highest accolade for the resort's strong commitment to eco-conscious practices and green innovation. *Platinum Excellence Corporate Award – Best Hotel 2025 – A celebration of the resort's operational excellence, innovation and service leadership. *Culinary Artisan of the Year – Executive Chef Rajiv Ranjan Singh, recognized for his creative flair and dedication to unforgettable dining experiences. "This milestone is a testament to the hard work, innovation and unwavering dedication of our entire Mövenpick family," said Chesnais, after receiving the awards. "To be recognized across leadership, sustainability, culinary and overall excellence categories speaks volumes about our team's collective commitment to raising the bar in hospitality not just in Ras Al Khaimah, but across the UAE," he stated. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Excellence Awards celebrate exceptional achievements in the tourism landscape, highlighting businesses, individuals and initiatives that continue to elevate the emirate as a premier global destination. The ceremony also spotlighted special honorary contributions, underscoring a shared ambition to position Ras Al Khaimah as a sustainable, innovative and world-class hub for tourism, said the hospitality group. Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island's recognition marks a defining moment for the resort and its role in shaping the future of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism success story, it added.
Gulf Business
27-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
RAKTDA CEO Raki Phillips on how the emirate is shaping the future of tourism in the UAE
Images: Supplied As one of the most anticipated events on the global travel calendar, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 served as a hub for transformative conversations and bold industry announcements. Among the emirates making waves was Ras Al Khaimah, showcasing its dynamic tourism strategy, impressive visitor numbers, and robust pipeline of world-class hospitality projects. The emirate welcomed a record-breaking At ATM 2025, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority ( Neesha Salian, editor at Gulf Business , caught up with Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, on the sidelines of ATM 2025 to dive deeper into the emirate's evolving tourism strategy, its global appeal, and how these new partnerships are shaping the next chapter of Ras Al Khaimah's success story. Matt Shaw, CEO of Open World, and Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA at ATM 2025 Ras Al Khaimah welcomed an impressive 1.28 million international visitors in 2024. Congratulations on that achievement. What are the key strategies helping you achieve consistent year-on-year growth? Thank you. Honestly, it comes down to having an incredible team and being a destination that's growing rapidly. We position ourselves as a destination of the future, but we're very grounded in data. We analyse our source markets closely — what they're interested in, what products they expect, and how best to communicate with them. Take China, for example. Just two years ago, it wasn't even a significant market for us. We strategically partnered with companies like Huawei and and now China is in our top 10. Chinese travellers tend to opt for luxury experiences — they're staying at the Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, and Anantara. That kind of targeted, high-impact marketing is working because we always strive to over-deliver on the experience. Besides China, which other source markets are showing strong performance for Ras Al Khaimah? Also, RAK was recently ranked among the top destinations for high-net-worth individuals. What factors are driving that appeal? Our top markets include the UK, India, Germany, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, and CIS countries. Each market aligns well with our offerings — from Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain, to our 68 kilometres of white-sand beaches. Another unique advantage is space — our properties offer room to breathe. Take Rixos Bab Al Bahr or DoubleTree by Hilton on Marjan Island — some of these have beach fronts that are 1.6 kilometres long. That appeals to people seeking luxury and privacy. Speaking of hospitality, Ras Al Khaimah is welcoming some impressive global brands, including Wynn Resorts. How do these developments support your trajectory? Absolutely — we're seeing a surge in high-end hospitality investments. What's unique about Ras Al Khaimah is our entrepreneurial spirit. We're a close-knit community that moves quickly. When investors approach us, we help align their brand with our destination's DNA. At Mina Al Arab, for instance, we have the InterContinental and Anantara already operational, and Four Seasons and Nikki Beach on the way. Marjan Island is seeing huge developments too. We currently have 8,000 keys, and we plan to more than double that by 2030. Wynn is a game-changer — 1,500 keys of pure luxury. It's not just about size, it's about positioning. And yes, the casino element will certainly attract international visitors. Add to that upcoming openings like Fairmont, W, and our first mountain resort, and you can see how we're building a diversified portfolio of premium experiences. Tell us about your focus on MICE tourism. We've grown our MICE numbers by 40 per ent year on year. Today, MICE would be our fifth largest source market. So the growth for us is incredible. We're excited about all the hotels that are coming on board with new MICE infrastructure. So it will continue to be a big focus. And we do it especially in the incentive part of it. We do it from a wedding market and across the board.' As tourism grows, so does the responsibility to preserve the natural landscape. How does Ras Al Khaimah balance tourism growth with sustainability? Sustainability is a core pillar for us. Ras Al Khaimah offers a unique topographical blend — from serene mountains to tranquil beaches — and our biggest asset is space. This allows visitors to enjoy peace and privacy, all while being close to Dubai's international airport. But beyond the landscape, we're also investing in accessibility. We partnered with Sage Inclusion, a company that conducted a full audit of the emirate for inclusivity. That includes considerations beyond mobility — like cognitive conditions, allergies, and sensory sensitivities. We're working towards becoming a truly inclusive destination where every traveler feels welcome and catered to. What are your long-term tourism goals for 2030? And as a leader, how do you approach running RAKTDA's operations? Our ambitions are bold but achievable. Today, we're just under 1.28 million visitors annually. By 2030, our goal is to triple that to 3.5 million overnight guests and more than double our hotel capacity. We treat RAKTDA as a high-performing business. We have EBITDA goals, KPIs, and a very clear roadmap. Tourism already contributes significantly to our GDP, and by the next decade, it's expected to form a third of the economy. This isn't a 'nice to have'— it's a central pillar of our national vision. To get there, we need strong collaborations — with investors, hospitality partners, and of course, infrastructure. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport plays a big role in this. Last year, we welcomed 670,000 passengers; we aim to hit two million by the end of the decade. We're already working with partners like Air Arabia and IndiGo, ensuring air connectivity supports our vision. As a CEO, my role is to ensure that we have the right team, clear direction, and strong leadership alignment with the emirate's goals. Fortunately, we have all those ingredients in place. .
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority debuts Tourism Excellence Awards
The authority's awards honour organisations and individuals who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and leadership, contributing to Ras Al Khaimah's growth as a leading global tourism destination Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Public Services Department in Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) held its first-ever Tourism Excellence Awards, a programme created to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of the Emirate's tourism and hospitality sector. Held on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, at the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, the awards ceremony brought together leaders and professionals from across the industry to celebrate those who have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and leadership in advancing Ras Al Khaimah's position as one of the world's most dynamic and fast-growing tourism destinations. The inaugural edition featured six award categories, spanning Corporate Hospitality Excellence, Individual Innovation, Culinary Artistry, Hospitality Leadership, Community Involvement, and Environmental Responsibility. This comprehensive framework was designed to reflect the multifaceted nature of the tourism ecosystem and to reward contributions at every level – from individual talent to corporate initiatives. Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), commented: 'The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Excellence Awards mark an important milestone in our journey to become a leading global destination. By recognising those who go above and beyond to deliver unforgettable experiences, we are not only celebrating their achievements, but fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and community engagement. Our goal is to inspire the entire tourism ecosystem to reach new heights, and these awards are testament to the incredible progress we are making together.' The 2025 Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Excellence Awards align with RAKTDA's broader vision of building a sustainable, inclusive, and culturally rich tourism destination. In addition to recognising exceptional service delivery, the programme aims to: Enhance travellers' confidence in Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination; Promote best practices and elevate service standards in the hospitality and tourism sector; Attract and retain top-tier industry talent and foster a strong sense of belonging; Encourage creativity and innovation across the sector; Strengthen collaboration between businesses, government entities, and local communities. Phillips concluded: 'The awards mark a new era of recognition and inspiration in Ras Al Khaimah's exceptional tourism story – one driven by shared ambition, pride in local achievement, and a commitment to excellence at every touchpoint, consolidating our position as a destination of the future.' For more information on RAKTDA initiatives, please visit About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. RAKTDA aims to develop the Emirate's tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Authority has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate's tourism and hospitality industry. | Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube Hashtag: #VisitRasAlKhaimah For any media enquiries, please contact: news@
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Walking along trails from 3,700BC? How Fujairah is turning mountains into tourist attractions
Fujairah is a land of mountains and rugged terrain, and within those mountains lie trails that were once followed in ancient times, as far back as 3,700BC. Today, those same paths have been transformed into thrilling adventure routes, drawing outdoor lovers from across the globe. From rugged mountain trails to the highest swing in the Middle East, Fujairah is turning its natural beauty into adventure tourism experiences. Leading this transformation is the Fujairah Adventures Centre, an organisation that has been at the heart of the emirate's journey to becoming the top destination for thrill-seekers and nature explorers. 'We turned challenges into opportunities,' said Amr Zein Eddine, director of Fujairah Adventures Centre. He explained that the emirate's features, like mountains, wadis, and a coastline are now its biggest tourism assets. The emirate now offers 15 adventure trails, each with its own scenery, terrain, and level of difficulty. These trails don't just offer a physical challenge, they are also steeped in history, passing through areas with cultural and environmental importance. 'People from all over the world come to Fujairah to experience these trails,' said Eddine. 'And we have more to offer and we will be soon announcing more adventure in the emirate.' This vision was the focus of the Fujairah International Conference of Adventure Tourism held on Wednesday, April 30. It was the first event of its kind in the UAE, organised under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah. It brought together experts and leaders from around the world to highlight Fujairah's growing role in the global adventure tourism industry. The Fujairah Crown Prince spoke about how adventure tourism can boost the economy while also promoting sustainable development, not just for Fujairah, but for the region and beyond. Eddine shared that the groundwork for Fujairah's adventure tourism strategy began in 2017. Since then, the emirate has built an entire ecosystem, creating regulations, infrastructure, training programmes, and marketing plans specifically designed for this sector. 'This conference is the fruit of a seed we planted a few years ago,' he said. One of the emirate's most popular attractions is the Fujairah Adventure Park, launched in 2020. It already features 17 thrilling experiences including zip lines, camping, glamping, and that iconic swing, the highest in the Middle East and the third highest in the world. 'The park is now undergoing further expansion to welcome even more visitors. We will be having more adventure coming winter,' said Eddine. But Fujairah isn't just building attractions; it's also building skills. The emirate is partnering with global organisations to train certified mountain leaders, hiking guides and climbing instructors. During the conference, two major agreements were signed, one with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), and another with the Cyprus Mountaineering, Climbing, and Orienteering Federation. 'We and Ras Al Khaimah are like one destination, ' said Eddine. 'The MoU we signed focuses on three things — unifying our destinations, improving training, and working together on cross-promotion.' The event also saw the launch of a new book, 'Alpine Skills: Summer', along with safety guides for mountain biking, hiking, and camping — aimed at promoting best practices among both professionals and tourists. Key government bodies including UN Tourism, the Ministry of Economy, Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department, and the Fujairah Environment Authority were honoured for their support in making the initiative a success. 'We work closely with the tourism and environment authorities,' said Eddine. 'Fujairah is not a new destination; we have trails from 3,700BC. Every new trail we discover adds another chapter to our story.'
