Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Appoints Phillipa Harrison as New CEO, ETTravelWorld

The Government of Ras Al Khaimah has announced the appointment of Phillipa Harrison as Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).

Harrison, who previously served as Managing Director of Tourism Australia, brings decades of global tourism leadership experience and will be responsible for advancing the Emirate’s vision to become the “Destination of the Future.”

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAKTDA’s Executive Committee, said: “Tourism is at the heart of Ras Al Khaimah’s strategy, it is our fastest-growing sector and we’ve achieved remarkable milestones in a short period of time. Ms. Harrison brings with her a depth of knowledge and leadership experience, most recently with Tourism Australia, that gives us confidence in her ability to align with Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitious goals and strategic targets in the tourism sector.”

Commenting on her appointment, Harrison said: “I’m honoured to join at such an exciting time. Ras Al Khaimah has already established itself as an international success story, and I look forward to unlocking even more growth in the years ahead.”

Her leadership is expected to further strengthen Ras Al Khaimah’s position as one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. The Emirate welcomed a record 650,000 visitors in the first half of 2025 and is on track to reach its target of attracting more than 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.

The appointment underscores the government’s focus on sustainable tourism development and global competitiveness, positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a leading destination for leisure, adventure, and cultural travel in the coming decade.