Without a doubt, the Middle East is one of the world’s fastest-evolving regions for hospitality development, with $1.9 trillion pouring into such destinations as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Few people have a front-row seat to the future of tourism in the region like Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) in the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the country’s sixth-largest city.
During more than two decades of working with hotel brands including Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Phillips has seen tremendous change in the Middle East’s hospitality scene. His role as CEO of RAKTDA, which he’s held since 2019, includes destination marketing with a focus on holistic growth strategies that prioritize sustainability, community engagement, and cultural authenticity.
Under Phillips’ guidance, Ras Al Khaimah, a 45-minute drive from Dubai, has grown from a…
