The 2025 edition of the Arabian Travel Awards concluded with great acclaim in Dubai, honouring the region’s most influential thinkers and innovators across travel, tourism, and hospitality. Frequently described as the “Oscars of the travel industry,” the ceremony brought together distinguished figures from across the GCC to celebrate a year marked by remarkable progress and industry-wide transformation.
Held at Embassy Suites by Hilton Business Bay, the evening began with an address from SanJeet, Director of DDP Group, who guided the proceedings as master of ceremonies. Among the distinguished attendees were leading officials and diplomats, including Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, His Excellency Tengku Dato’ Sirajuzzaman Tengku Mohamed Ariffin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE, as well as notable industry personalities such as Jamal Abdulnazar, Nasir Jamal Khan, Saleem Sharif, Mohd Faharuddin Hatmin, Kathryn Wallington, Mohamed Khater, Jaal Shah, Mohamed Awadalla, Ziad Tantawi and Iftikhar Hamdani.
A focal moment of the awards was the unveiling of a limited-edition collector’s coffee table book. Presented on stage in the presence of guest dignitaries, the publication captures key achievements, success stories and the individuals shaping tourism growth across the GCC, offering a curated reflection of the sector’s evolution.
In his keynote speech, SanJeet shared impressive engagement figures, noting that more than 6,000 votes had been cast this year. Highlighting the strong confidence the industry places in the platform, he remarked: “Recognition is a powerful motivator, and these awards inspire individuals and organisations alike to push the boundaries of excellence.”
Chief Guest Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi spoke of the value of initiatives that elevate performance standards and encourage fresh thinking across the sector. His Excellency Tengku Dato’ Sirajuzzaman also emphasised the event’s international importance and its contribution to promoting the GCC as a premier global tourism destination.
Outstanding achievements were recognised throughout the evening. Alaa Al Ali, CEO of NG9 Holding and Nirvana Travel and Tourism, was inducted into the Gallery of Legends for his long-standing influence on the industry. Hatim Alharbi, Chief of Tourism at the Aseer Development Authority, earned the DDP Game Changer Award for his significant role in the advancement of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. Naeem Darkazally, Founder and CEO of Keef Hospitality Consultancy, was named the recipient of the DDP Trailblazer Award for his strategic contributions across hotels and tourism authorities, while Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, received the DDP Face of the Future award for her efforts in reshaping customer engagement for the next generation.
The Arabian Travel Awards 2025 reaffirmed their standing as the foremost measure of excellence in the regional travel sector, with winners departing not only with recognition but also with renewed drive to contribute to one of the world’s most rapidly developing tourism markets.
Full list of 2025 winners:
|
1 |
Gallery of Legends |
Alaa Al Ali |
|
2 |
DDP Gamechanger |
Hatim Al Harbi |
|
3 |
DDP Trailblazer |
Naeem Darkazally |
|
4 |
Face of the Future |
Meerah Ketait |
|
5 |
Best Family Friendly Resort in Northern Emirates |
Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island |
|
6 |
Best B2B Travel Portal – Middle East |
Akbar Travels |
|
7 |
Best Debut Hotel Apartments |
Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai |
|
8 |
Best City Hotel |
Novotel Dubai Al Barsha |
|
9 |
Most Promising Destination |
Jamaica Tourist Board |
|
10 |
Best Corporate Travel Management Company |
Satguru Travel & Tourism |
|
11 |
Best Destination Wedding Resort |
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai |
|
12 |
Best Business & Leisure Hotel |
Grand Millennium Dubai |
|
13 |
Most Innovative Corporate Booking Tool Developed in the Middle East |
Blue Seven Technologies (OBT7) |
|
14 |
Best Lifestyle Resort |
Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort |
|
15 |
Best Cultural Tourism Destination |
Spain |
|
16 |
Fastest Growing Hotel Management Company |
Gewan Hotels & Resorts |
|
17 |
Best Destination Management Company – Qatar |
Tawfeeq Holidays |
|
18 |
Most Comfortable Hotel Apartments |
Golden Sands Hotel Apartments |
|
19 |
Fastest Growing GSA |
ITVAR GSA Travel LLC |
|
20 |
Best Travel Booking Platform |
RezLive.com |
|
21 |
Fastest Growing GCC Tourism Destination |
Aseer Region |
|
22 |
Most Promising Travel Management Company |
Pluto Group |
|
23 |
Best Destination Marketing Initiatives |
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board |
|
24 |
Best 5 Star Business Hotel |
Swissotel Al Murooj Dubai |
|
25 |
Fastest Growing B2B Travel Portal |
Book Your Voyage |
|
26 |
Best Beach Resort |
Fairmont Ajman |
|
27 |
Best Corporate Travel Company |
Musafir Business |
|
28 |
Emerging DMC – Qatar |
Odyssey DMC Qatar |
|
29 |
Outstanding Sales Performance to Malaysia |
Emirates Holidays |
|
30 |
Outstanding Travel Trade Partner for Malaysia |
Sharaf Travel |
|
31 |
Fastest Growing Airline Partner to Malaysia |
flydubai |
|
32 |
Best Debut 5-Star Hotel |
Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay |
|
33 |
Best Luxury Serviced Apartments |
Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments |
|
34 |
Best Travel Management Company in the UAE |
ATS Travel |
|
35 |
Most Loved Travel Destination by Millennials & Gen Z |
Korea Tourism Organization |
|
36 |
Best Wedding & MICE Hotel |
Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Hotel & Convention Centre Dubai |
|
37 |
Fastest Growing Luxury Tour Operator |
Concierge ONE Tourism |
|
38 |
Most Reliable B2B Travel Portal |
Smart Travel LLC |
|
39 |
Best Wellness Destination |
Czech Tourism |
|
40 |
Best B2b Travel Company |
Top Travel Trip (T3) |
|
41 |
Best 4-Star Leisure Hotel |
Golden Tulip Media Hotel |
|
42 |
Fastest Growing TMC in Africa |
European Travel |
|
43 |
Most Active in Promoting Sustainable and Accessible Travel |
German National Tourist Office – Gulf Countries |
|
44 |
Best Leisure Tour Operator |
TravTips |
|
45 |
Best Family Friendly Hotel |
Swissotel Al Ghurair |
|
46 |
Fastest Growing DMC Portal – UAE |
Arabian Journeys |
|
47 |
Best Urban Lifestyle Hotel |
Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach |
|
48 |
Fastest Growing Travel Management Company |
Blueberry Travel (Friends Travel & Tourism LLC) |
|
49 |
Best NTO – South East Asia |
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board |
|
50 |
UAE’s Leading DMC |
Odyssey DMC UAE |
|
51 |
Best Refurbished 4 Star Hotel |
MD Hotel by Gewan |
|
52 |
Fastest Growing B2B Online Portal – Qatar |
EzyTrip |
|
53 |
Sharjah’s Leading 4-Star Hotel |
Golden Sands Hotel & Residences Sharjah |
|
54 |
Leading Online Travel Enterprise in the region |
Travelwings.com |
|
55 |
Best 4-Star Corporate Hotel |
Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Business Bay |
|
56 |
Emerging DMC – Oman |
Odyssey DMC Oman |
|
57 |
Platinum Sponsor |
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board |
|
58 |
Hospitality Partner |
Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay |