2nd December 2025, Dubai – The Arabian Travel Awards 2025 concluded on a high note in Dubai, celebrating the region’s leading innovators, leaders, and changemakers in travel, tourism, and hospitality. Often hailed as the “Oscars of the travel industry,” the awards ceremony brought together a constellation of industry heavyweights to acknowledge a year of exceptional achievements and highlight the GCC’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape.
The gala, hosted at Embassy Suites by Hilton Business Bay, opened with a warm welcome from SanJeet, Director of DDP Group and master of ceremonies for the evening. The audience included a distinguished lineup of leaders and dignitaries, such as Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director of Tourism Development at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, His Excellency Tengku Dato’ Sirajuzzaman Tengku Mohamed Ariffin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE, and prominent industry figures including Jamal Abdulnazar, Nasir Jamal Khan, Saleem Sharif, Mohd Faharuddin Hatmin, Kathryn Wallington, Mohamed Khater, Jaal Shah, Mohamed Awadalla, Ziad Tantawi, and Iftikhar Hamdani.
A highlight of the evening was the launch of an exclusive collector’s edition coffee table book, unveiled on stage in the presence of the Guest of Honour dignitaries. The book chronicles the milestones, stories, and personalities driving the GCC’s tourism growth, offering a tangible celebration of the sector’s evolution.
In his keynote, SanJeet highlighted the extraordinary engagement this year, revealing that the awards platform received over 6,000 votes, a clear indicator of the trust and enthusiasm the Arabian Travel Awards command within the regional travel community. “Recognition is a powerful motivator,” he noted, “and these awards inspire individuals and organisations alike to push the boundaries of excellence.”
The ceremony’s Chief Guest, Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, emphasized the importance of platforms that elevate industry standards and foster innovation, while His Excellency Tengku Dato’ Sirajuzzaman highlighted the event’s global relevance and its role in positioning the GCC as a world-class travel hub.
The evening celebrated the region’s most outstanding contributors to tourism and hospitality. Alaa Al Ali, CEO of NG9 Holding and Nirvana Travel and Tourism, was inducted into the Gallery of Legends for his enduring contribution to the sector. Hatim Alharbi, Chief of Tourism at the Aseer Development Authority, received the DDP Game Changer Award for his pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation. Naeem Darkazally, Founder and CEO of Keef Hospitality Consultancy, was honoured with the DDP Trailblazer Award for his strategic impact across hotels and tourism authorities, while Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, claimed the DDP Face of the Future award for redefining customer experience for the next generation of travellers.
The Arabian Travel Awards 2025 reaffirmed its role as the definitive benchmark of excellence in the region’s travel industry. Winners left not only with accolades but also with renewed inspiration to shape one of the world’s most dynamic tourism landscapes.
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