Dubai, November 13, 2024. The seventh edition of the prestigious Arabian Travel Awards took place in a grand ceremony, celebrating the visionaries and pioneers who have made significant contributions to the Middle East’s travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. The event highlighted the region’s progress toward becoming a global tourism leader and emphasized the balance between luxury and sustainability. Chief Guest for the event was Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Emirates Airline.
San Jeet, Director of Arabian Travel Awards, shared his insights, stating, “The Middle East has become a global leader in luxury and experiential tourism, offering everything from high-end resorts to unique cultural experiences like desert safaris and historic sites. Visitors are drawn to the region’s rich blend of modern luxury and authentic local experiences.” While celebrating the achievements of this year’s awardees, he reminded them of their ongoing responsibility to push the industry forward: “Enjoy your success, but please make sure you innovate, improve, and develop the travel industry. I’m sure everyone will be watching you very carefully. These awards are not just a reward but a responsibility to grow this industry, and with all your efforts, the Middle East will soon become the world’s most prominent travel hub.”
Chief Guest for the event Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Emirates Airline reiterated, “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It’s a pleasure to join you tonight. After 32 years in this industry, I’m inspired by the incredible growth here, especially in aviation and hospitality. Dubai has set a global example, from handling over 90 million passengers annually to offering nearly 250,000 hotel rooms, enabling it to host major events. Surrounding cities—Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait—are also thriving, embracing Dubai’s visionary model. In 2023, tourism contributed 137 billion dirhams to Dubai’s economy, created 631,000 jobs, with 185,000 more expected by 2030. This growth owes much to strong leadership, particularly His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who set high standards across sectors. Our region is now a benchmark for quality, thanks to the dedication of people like you. Tonight, I’m honoured to recognize those whose hard work has made this possible. Your efforts shape not only today but the future of this region. Thank you for being part of this journey, and I wish you all continued success.”
Founder, Chairman and CEO of Satguru Group of Companies, Anil Chandirani entered the Gallery of Legends whilst General Manager of Travco Gulf Region, Jyoti Panchmatia was recognised as the DDP Gamechanger with Mamoun Hmidan Chief Business Officer at Wego recognised as the DDP Trailblazer. Andy Cuthbert General Manager at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events was honoured as the DDP Gourmet Tourism Ambassador and Khaled Shaker Director of Investment and Strategic Projects at Dubai Developments as DDP Face of the Future.
As the Arabian Travel Awards celebrated its seventh year, this gathering reaffirmed the Middle East’s position as a world-class tourism destination, setting an inspiring path forward for sustainable growth and continued excellence.
