Steven Rice will oversee the authority’s efforts to develop and promote the emirate’s tourism
Steven Rice, CEO Ras Al Khaimah TDA
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) has appointed Steven Rice as the new Chief Executive Officer, to mastermind the authority’s work in promoting the emirate.
As the CEO, Rice will oversee all areas pertaining to the promotion and development of the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and its potential domestically and abroad, as well as efforts directed to meet the authority’s aims of growing the contribution of tourism to Ras Al Khaimah’s GDP to nine per cent and to establish the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah globally as a premier affordable luxury and outdoor adventure destination.
Rice’s areas of responsibility range from the management of the authority’s strategy to the implementation and development of marketing mechanisms and solutions to promote investment in the emirate, as well as the development of Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism industry.
Having worked across multiple European markets, North America, Asia-Pacific and The GCC, Rice holds deep competences in specialist areas, such as online travel, online and offline marketing, CRM and strategy and vision; and brings his extensive experience in leading commercial relationships and business development into his new role to chart Ras Al Khaimah TDA’s future growth and strategic response to an ever-increasing demand for the organisation’s services from the emirate’s fast growing tourism sector.
Steven Rice, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said: “Ras Al Khaimah is going from strength to strength as a tourism destination. We are in a fantastic position to attract investment which capitalises on Ras Al Khaimah’s accessibility to Dubai International Airport, its natural attractions of a temperate climate, rugged terrains and mountains, clean beaches and archaeological sites, coastal areas and desert to build the emirate’s tourism sector.
“Looking forward to 2014, Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism sector has a huge potential for continued growth, building on these strengths and the achievements of 2013.”
Since Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority was established in 2011, the emirate has experienced outstandingly strong growth across visitor numbers, hotel openings and new tourism and hospitality related business.
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA) was established in May 2011 as a Government of Ras Al Khaimah entity. Its purpose is to develop and promote the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and potential both domestically and abroad, and establish the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as a premier affordable luxury travel destination.About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA):
Clear strategic goals and targets have been set by RAK TDA including increasing the total number of annual visitors to Ras Al Khaimah to 1.2 million by 2013, and increasing the Emirate’s total hotel and resort room inventory to 10,000 keys by 2016.
In order to achieve its goals, RAK TDA has a Government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry, to develop the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and attractions and to generate and encourage direct tourism investment and investment opportunities into Ras Al Khaimah.
RAK TDA promotes the Emirate’s tourism products and services through a variety of activities, including: research and analysis of future tourism projects and current trends; representation of Ras Al Khaimah at tourism industry at overseas travel shows; educating travel professionals on Ras Al Khaimah’s unique attractions through workshops, roadshows, familiarization and training programmes; coordinating and implementing joint initiatives with key travel industry players; branding and marketing strategies to encourage tourism and investment into the Emirate; media and consumer campaigns and promotions; hosting leading sporting, cultural, trade and CSR events.
About Ras Al Khaimah:
Ras Al Khaimah is just a 45 minute drive from Dubai International Airport and is the perfect getaway for leisure, adventure, and affordable luxury travel. Visitors to Ras Al Khaimah will enjoy idyllic sojourns on white sandy beaches and resorts, adventure activities including water sports, micro-lighting, mountain climbing, kayaking and more, as well as an eclectic selection of international gourmet experiences and world-class spas.