Raki Phillips
CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)
09 July, 2025
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority’s (RAKTDA), Raki Phillips is driving the continued growth of the emirate as a world-class tourism destination. Phillips’ role includes collaborating with key partners, regulating industry standards, expanding tourism infrastructure, and fostering sustainable investment opportunities. Beyond enhancing Ras Al Khaimah’s competitive edge, Phillips is also dedicated to the emirate’s economic and social prosperity — and to improving the quality of life for all its residents.
An award-winning hospitality veteran and serial entrepreneur, Phillips brings over 20 years of global experience with iconic brands such as Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI), and Universal
Studios Orlando.
Phillips, an American national with Lebanese and Argentinian heritage, speaks fluent Arabic and has worked in the Middle East since 2005. In his previous role as senior partner and SVP of Development at International Hospitality Consulting Group (INHOCO), he helped build a hotel project pipeline exceeding $5bn in assets and negotiated high-value deals across more than 25 global markets.
He currently serves on the executive board of RAK Airport and the Pacific Asia Travel Association. Phillips holds a bachelor of science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and an MBA in organisational management from the University of Phoenix in Orlando.
Under his leadership, RAKTDA reported its strongest year ever in January, with a record 1.28 million overnight arrivals in 2024 — a milestone reflecting a 12 per cent increase in tourism revenues and a 15 per cent rise in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) visitors.
This success underscores Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic and sustainable tourism vision, which aims to attract over 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030.
Several factors fuelled this remarkable growth in 2024: the opening of new hotels and resorts, a packed calendar of international events, enhanced air connectivity to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, world-class marketing campaigns, and over 2,200 international activations across 70 cities.
