Accor Appoints Raki Phillips as Regional President for Middle East, Africa, and Turkiye

Accor has appointed Raki Phillips as the Regional President for its Premium, Midscale & Economy division in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkiye, starting November 2025.

Accor has announced the appointment of Raki Phillips as the Regional President for its Premium, Midscale & Economy division across the Middle East, Africa, and Turkiye. Phillips will assume his new role in November 2025, succeeding Paul Stevens.

In his new position, Phillips will oversee the operations of more than 250 hotels across 27 countries, with a pipeline of over 85 new openings planned for the region. He will report to Duncan O’Rourke, CEO of Accor’s Premium, Midscale & Economy division for the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Phillips brings over 20 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. His previous role was CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, where he contributed to significant growth in tourism revenues and infrastructure development. His career also includes senior roles at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Ritz-Carlton, and Universal Studios Orlando.

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The appointment comes as Accor experiences strong momentum in the region, with a total of over 350 hotels and 92,000 rooms, and an additional 140 hotels with 31,000 rooms in the pipeline. The division has reported healthy year-on-year growth, particularly in key markets such as the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

Based in Dubai, Phillips will manage a diverse brand portfolio, including Swissôtel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis. His responsibilities will include supporting hotel owners and partners to enhance long-term value and guest loyalty. The appointment aligns with Accor’s strategy to strengthen local leadership and drive market-led innovation in the region.

Phillips replaces Paul Stevens, who will depart in October after nearly three decades with Accor. Under Stevens’ leadership, the division saw significant growth and launched several initiatives focused on cultural and community engagement.