Accor names Raki Phillips as regional President for PME Division across Middle East, Africa, Türkiye

MENA – Accor has announced the appointment of Raki Phillips as Regional President for the Premium, Midscale & Economy (PME) division across the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye, effective November 2025.

He succeeds Paul Stevens in leading one of the group’s most strategically important regions, overseeing a network of over 250 hotels across 27 countries, along with a robust pipeline of more than 85 upcoming openings.

Phillips will report to Duncan O’Rourke, CEO of Accor’s PME division for Middle East Africa and Asia Pacific.

Phillips brings over 20 years of global hospitality experience and is widely recognized as one of the Middle East’s most influential tourism leaders.

Most recently, he served as CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), driving transformative growth that tripled tourism revenues and expanded the emirate’s international airlift.

He played a vital role in securing the Wynn Resorts deal, the largest foreign direct investment in Ras Al Khaimah, and launched pioneering sustainability initiatives that have positioned the destination on a progressive trajectory.

Before RAKTDA, Phillips held senior commercial roles at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, supporting global brand expansion and operational leadership especially across the Middle East and India.

His earlier career also included executive positions at Ritz-Carlton and Universal Studios Orlando, blending operational expertise with commercial acumen.

His leadership style is known for fostering culture, community engagement, and innovation, earning him consistent recognition among the region’s top travel and tourism executives.

Under Phillips’ stewardship, Accor’s PME division will capitalize on the region’s strong growth momentum, which features over 350 hotels, approximately 92,000 rooms, and a pipeline of 140 hotels with 31,000 rooms.

Key markets such as the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia exhibit robust development potential with growing demand for diverse hospitality experiences.

Duncan O’Rourke highlighted Phillips as a purpose-led leader with deep regional knowledge and strong public and private sector relationships.

O’Rourke emphasized that Phillips’ expertise will accelerate Accor’s local community ties, development pipeline, and brand strength, reaffirming the company’s commitment to market-led innovation and sustainable growth.

Phillips will be based in Dubai and oversee a portfolio spanning prestigious brands including Swissôtel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis.

His focus will be on operational excellence, owner and partner collaboration, and unlocking long-term value to deepen guest loyalty across the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye.

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