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.

He will also oversee 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.

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, a statement 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,” said Rice.

“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 strong growth across visitor numbers, hotel openings and new tourism and hospitality related business. – TradeArabia News Service