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Accor Appoints Raki Phillips as Regional President for Premium, Midscale & Economy Division in Middle East, Africa & Turkiye

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Portrait of Raki Phillips, Regional President for Premium, Midscale & Economy Division in Middle East, Africa & Turkiye - Accor

Accor has announced the appointment of Raki Phillips as Regional President for the Premium, Midscale & Economy (PME) division across the Middle East & Africa & Türkiye, effective November 2025. He succeeds Paul Stevens in leading one of Accor’s most strategically important regions.

Phillips will oversee hotel operations performance across a network of over 250 hotels in 27 countries, and a robust pipeline of over 85 openings further anchoring Accor’s presence across the region. He will report to Duncan O’Rourke, Chief Executive Officer of Accor’s Premium, Midscale & Economy division in Middle East Africa & Asia Pacific.

With more than 20 years of global experience, Raki Phillips is widely regarded as one of the most influential tourism leaders in the Middle East. Most recently, he held the role of CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), where he spearheaded the Emirate’s transformation into one of the region’s fastest growing and most progressive tourism destinations. Under his leadership, the destination tripled tourism revenues, expanded its international airlift, helped secure the Wynn Resorts deal – the largest FDI in the emirate – and launched landmark sustainability initiatives.

Phillips is also a former Fairmont Raffles Hotels International executive, where he held senior commercial roles and contributed to global brand expansion, adding operational depth and luxury expertise to his wide-ranging profile, including the ramp up of the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel Makkah Complex as well as Fairmont hotels across the Middle East and India. His earlier career includes senior roles with Ritz-Carlton and Universal Studios Orlando, blending deep operational experience with a sharp commercial mindset. In recent years, he has been consistently recognised among the Middle East’s top travel and tourism executives, noted for his ability to drive results through culture, community engagement, and innovation.

“Raki brings a rare combination of commercial agility, regional knowledge, and purpose-led leadership. As we move into the next stage of growth in the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, it’s important we strengthen our leadership presence locally. With his deep understanding of the region, and strong relationships across both public and private sectors, Raki is perfectly positioned to deepen our community ties, accelerate development, and continue to elevate the strength of our brands. His appointment reflects our long-term commitment to the region and our belief in the power of local leadership to drive impact, Duncan O’Rourke, CEO, Premium, Midscale & Economy, MEA APAC, Accor.

Phillips’ appointment follows the announcement that Paul Stevens shall be departing in October. Paul’s tenure with Accor spans nearly three decades. Under Paul’s leadership, we’ve seen strong growth, operational excellence, and a deep cultural shift. He built a unifying One Team spirit and launched standout initiatives like Choir Games, Think Like an Owner, and Race to Survive, raising millions for children’s health and community causes. A committed champion of inclusion and purpose, he led DIA, Purpose Week, Accor’s Purpose Statement, and localised RiiSE and SheLeads across Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. His impact earned global recognition, including Best Business Unit and multiple Bernache Awards for ESG and business excellence.

Phillips joins Accor at a time of strong momentum across the region, with over 350 hotels, 92k rooms and 140 hotels (31K rooms) in the pipeline. The Group’s Premium, Midscale &Economy division has posted healthy year-on-year growth, with key markets such as the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia showing strong performance and development potential. With an ambitious pipeline and growing demand for diverse hospitality experiences, his appointment reinforces Accor’s commitment to local leadership and market-led innovation.

Based in Dubai, Phillips will oversee a diverse brand portfolio that includes Swissôtel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Novotel, Mercure and ibis, while also supporting owners and partners to unlock long-term value and guest loyalty.

Hospitality

AARK MARKETING STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN UAE PERFECTING THE TITLE OF DIGITAL & INFLUENCER MARKETING & PR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

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Collage showcasing Aark Marketing services: strategy with digital interface graphics, content production with professional photography setup, social media represented by a close-up of a textured circular object, PR and media featuring a person viewing multiple digital screens, events and launches highlighted by illuminated cityscape with building projections, and influencers depicted with a branded backdrop and smartphone recording.

Aark Marketing, a reputed boutique integrated marketing and communications agency, continues to strengthen its position within the UAE’s competitive brand landscape through culturally attuned, insight-led campaigns. Marking a milestone year in its growth journey, the agency’s 2025 performance reflects strategic clarity and creative precision, translating brand narratives into measurable impact across sectors. Beyond F&B and hospitality, Aark serves diverse industries including retail, manufacturing, and construction, offering end-to-end expertise across media planning, social and digital campaigns, and influencer marketing to deliver ROI-driven outcomes.

Founded in 2020, Aark has led several high-impact campaigns for reputed F&B brands, including Kashkan, which generated 2.4 million views and 20,000+ followers in three months. Its hospitality portfolio includes Pincode by Chef Kunal Kapur, Silk Lantern, Lavang, Aminia, and The Permit Room, while work with Emirates Airlines – Dnata and Dubai Islamic Bank demonstrates its capability beyond F&B.

Under visionary leadership, Aark celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2025, marked by key achievements including Pincode winning the Time Out Restaurant Awards 2025 and Lavang being named Filmfare Middle East Favourite Debutant Restaurant 2025; demonstrating the agency’s ability to align strategic brand positioning with meaningful audience engagement.

The agency earned multiple industry honours this year: the Middle East National Business Awards for A Marketing & PR Recipe for Success, and accolades from the Global Business & Finance Magazine Awards: Best Integrated Marketing Agency UAE, Best PR & Media Agency of the Year UAE, and Excellence in Brand Communications UAE. Inclusion in the Caterer Middle East F&B Power PR List further reinforced its regional credibility.

Emphasising on Aark’s client-first approach, Kkusum Rawat, Founder and Marketing Director at Aark Marketing, said, “Today, brands are looking beyond traditional marketing for partners who truly understand their objectives and the regional nuances that shape consumer behaviour. Our focus has always been on delivering customised solutions that build visibility through relevance, not volume. With a clear emphasis on Return on Investment, we leverage innovation and technology to create impactful campaigns that connect meaningfully with audiences and deliver measurable outcomes. The consistency we achieved in 2025, across thinking, execution, and results, reflects the strength of our team and the trust our clients place in us to build lasting brand impact.”

From a performance standpoint, Aark Marketing delivered sustained digital growth across its portfolio, achieving over 5 million in reach and 3 million video views. Multiple F&B brands recorded 20 to 40% month-on-month engagement growth, while festive campaigns drove 2x to 4x visibility spikes, improved cost efficiencies, and increased footfall, online orders, and inquiries.

Across influencer and communications channels, Aark Marketing strengthened brand recall and authority. A flagship Al Nabooda campaign generated over 1 million video views, while strategic PR efforts secured 500+ media articles across top-tier regional publications, driving consistent editorial visibility, stronger brand credibility, and increased inbound discovery across AI-powered search platforms. Revolutionizing the ever-growing digital marketing sector, Aark Marketing stays committed to providing creative campaigns and excel in client delivery. The key achievements collectively signal a year defined by credibility, collaboration, and carefully measured growth, positioning the agency firmly within the region’s evolving marketing and communications landscape

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Hospitality

HOUSE OF HYPE DUBAI JUST FLIPPED THE HOLIDAYS, UNVEILS THE WINTER WONDERVERSE

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This festive season, House of Hype, Dubai Mall’s most spectacular immersive mega-experience, turns the holidays upside down with The Winter Wonderverse, a surreal festive universe that only Dubai could dream up.

Running from December 13 till January 4, 2026, The Winter Wonderverse @ House of Hype delivers a larger-than-life remix of holiday classics across the park’s 25 immersive worlds. Expect glowing snow, dancing lights, spontaneous performances, mischievous elf photobooths, chaotic parades, and snacks almost too cute to eat — all crafted to surprise, delight, and spark unforgettable shared moments.

But this isn’t nostalgia, and it’s definitely not the winter village you’ve visited five times before. This is House of Hype in Dubai! Where everything is bigger, wilder, brighter, and far more fun.

A Holiday Universe, One Wild World at a Time

From the moment you step inside, you’re not entering a venue, you’re crossing into a surreal festive season multiverse. One minute you’re inside a shimmering snow globe where neon snow falls around you, the next, you’re being pulled into an elf transformation photobooth where the “elves” are a little too enthusiastic and definitely up to mischief.

Turn a corner and suddenly a world-hopping parade bursts through the space, sweeping you into a swirl of bold characters, dancers, glitchy holiday creatures, and spontaneous performances that feel like they jumped out of a fever dream.

Blending humor, fantasy, nostalgia, and hypersaturated design, The Winter Wonderverse @ House of Hype is for people who want their holidays to feel anything but ordinary, families, friends, creators, travelers, and anyone chasing a festive escape with a twist.

Festive Highlights:

Inspired by House of Hype’s signature mega-experience DNA, here’s what guests can expect:

  • Glowing Snow & Dancing Lights: A surreal holiday landscape perfect for unforgettable photo and video moments.
  • Elf Transformation Photobooths: Snap, record, and instantly drop into the Winter Wonderverse storyline with playful, social-ready content.
  • World-Hopping Parades & Outrageous Performances: A spontaneous cast brings the universe to life through bold interactions and unexpected spectacle.
  • A Surprise Treat Awaits Anyone in Ugly Sweaters: Show up to Dubai’s most chaotic holiday showdown, loud, fun, and delightfully unhinged.
  • Cute Holiday Snacks & Limited-Edition Treats: Delicious, highly Instagrammable snacks curated by Michelin-starred culinary talent.

House of Hype invites guests on a 60–90 minute adventure through Dubai Mall’s full-scale City of Dreams, a joyful mega-experience built from the brightest corners of digital pop culture. Across 25 surreal, interactive zones, visitors drift through neon Tokyo nights, K-Pop stages, shimmering Bollywood energy, robotic light shows, projection domes, hidden pathways, exclusive shopping, and limited-edition global snacks. With live performances, AI-powered photo moments, and unexpected worlds opening at every turn, every visit becomes a journey to dream big, live loud, and have fun.

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Hospitality

PIZZAEXPRESS UNVEILS FESTIVE MENUS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

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Festive PizzaExpress holiday spread featuring sparkling wine, mashed potatoes with turkey, creamy sauce, signature Dough Balls with dip, Christmas-themed decorations, and a pizza topped with cherry tomatoes and basil, alongside pasta dishes on a marble table.

PizzaExpress invites guests to celebrate the festive season with specially curated Christmas and New Year dining experiences, combining seasonal flavours, signature dishes, and a lively social atmosphere. Available throughout December and culminating in a vibrant New Year celebration, the festive menus have been designed to bring people together over food, music, and celebration.

“As the festive season approaches, we wanted to create menus that feel celebratory, comforting, and perfect for sharing,” said Nitin Makhijani, General Manager, PizzaExpress. “Our Christmas and New Year offerings bring together seasonal ingredients, familiar favourites, and a vibrant atmosphere, making PizzaExpress a welcoming place for guests to celebrate with friends and family.”

For Christmas, guests can enjoy a festive set menu, offering a selection of seasonal starters, mains, and desserts inspired by classic holiday flavours. Highlights include creamy Cranberry Brussels Sprouts, Turkey Truffle Dough Balls, festive pizzas such as the Christmas Feast and Brussels & Porcini Truffle, and indulgent desserts including Speculoos Gingerbread Tiramisu and KitKat Stuffed Dough Balls

A selection of festive beverages and cocktails are also available to complement the dining experience.

The celebrations continue into New Year’s Eve, where guests can look forward to an extended festive menu featuring unlimited starters, seasonal pizzas, delicious pastas, fresh salads, and indulgent desserts, paired with a wide selection of beverages

From savoury dishes like Barbecue Burnt Ends pizza and creamy Cajun Chicken pizza to festive desserts and signature cocktails, the New Year menu is designed for relaxed, social dining as guests countdown to midnight.

Blending festive flavours with its signature dining experience, PizzaExpress offers a relaxed yet energetic setting for both Christmas gatherings and New Year celebrations, making it a popular choice for groups looking to enjoy great food and a lively atmosphere during the holiday season.

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