Phillipa Harrison named CEO of UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah Tourism
The Government of Ras Al Khaimah has appointed Phillipa Harrison, former Managing Director of Tourism Australia, as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).
“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,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAKTDA’s Executive Committee, said.
For her part, Harrison said that Ras Al Khaimah is poised for more growth in the coming years. “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,” she said.
According to RAKTDA, Harrison’s leadership will support the emirate’s target of attracting over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030. According to RAKTDA, the region welcomed a record 650,000 visitors in the first half of 2025. The authority said this reflects growing interest in its cultural, leisure, and adventure tourism offerings.
Tourism strategy aligned with sustainability goals
In its press release shared with SiGMA News, RAKTDA said it is emphasising sustainable tourism as a core pillar of its development plan. Under Harrison’s guidance, the authority aims to strengthen Ras Al Khaimah’s position further as a global destination that balances growth with environmental responsibility.
The emirate has been positioning itself as a diverse and accessible destination in the UAE, investing in resorts, adventure tourism, and cultural attractions to attract international travellers.
Wynn Resorts prepares UAE’s first casino at Al Marjan
The announcement of Harrison’s appointment coincides with major private sector investments in the region. Wynn Resorts is developing Wynn Al Marjan, a large-scale integrated resort on Al Marjan Island, under a 15-year exclusive casino licence—the UAE’s first.
Earlier this month, Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts, stated that the company will be the only integrated resort in the country for the foreseeable future. The project, scheduled to open in 2027, is expected to tap into a potential UAE casino market valued at $5 billion annually, with some analysts estimating a possible $8 billion.
Wynn has already acquired an additional 70 acres adjacent to its resort for future expansion. Construction has reached the 60th floor, and the company plans to host an investor day later this year to showcase progress and opportunities.
Economic and market implications
Wynn’s Al Marjan development is set to establish a monopoly in the UAE’s casino market. The exclusivity is expected to drive tourism traffic to Ras Al Khaimah and complement broader government efforts to boost visitor numbers. Billings earlier described Wynn Al Marjan as the most compelling development opportunity in the industry.
