Stephen Howard, Head of Tourism PR and Communications, Tourism Sector, The Royal Commission for AlUla.The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has appointed Stephen Howard as Head of Tourism PR and Communications for its Tourism Sector, as the destination continues to expand its global profile as Saudi Arabia’s preeminent boutique heritage destination.
Howard, who has relocated from Hong Kong to AlUla, via Australia, will be working across and collaborating with teams on areas of tourism he genuinely passionate about – from art and culture, wildlife and natural heritage, and heritage sites, to hotels and resorts, film, and even the emerging field of astro-tourism.
With more than 20 years of experience in marketing communications, Howard’s career spans leadership roles in the automotive, hospitality and tourism sectors across Australia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
Commenting on his appointment in a LinkedIn post, Howard said, “Few destinations in the world can bring together environment, history, creativity, and culture in such a seamless and authentic way. AlUla does exactly this, offering experiences that stay with you long after you leave and connect with visitors emotionally.”
Most recently, he served as Group Director of Marketing and Communications for Ovolo Hotels, where he oversaw the brand’s global rebrand, international expansion, and a series of award-winning campaigns that earned Ovolo ‘Hotel Brand of the Year’ three times at the HM Awards.
Howard’s career includes senior roles at Hyundai Australia, where he led a major brand evolution and at Event Hospitality & Entertainment (now EVT). He launched QT Hotels & Resorts in Australia and internationally, while also managing communications for Event Cinemas, Rydges Hotels and Thredbo Alpine Resort.
He began his career in hospitality marketing while studying PR and Marketing at QUT in Brisbane, later moving into large-scale events and brand activations. In 2017, he completed the Strategic Marketing Management programme at Harvard Business School.
“I cannot wait to see this destination evolve and play my part in telling AlUla’s remarkable stories to the world,” Howard concluded.
