Hozpitality.com has unveiled its prestigious Power List of the 30 Most Popular Hospitality and Tourism Leaders, celebrating top executives whose achievements have significantly shaped the region’s thriving hospitality and tourism sectors.
According to prnewswire.com, The honorees include influential figures from airlines, hotels, tourism boards, and hospitality management firms, all of whom have played pivotal roles in transforming the Middle East into a global travel hub.
The honorees, selected through an extensive public voting process, represent a diverse array of industries, including hotel chains, airlines, tourism boards, and hospitality management companies. These visionary leaders are recognized for their innovative contributions, inspiring leadership, and their role in positioning the Middle East as a global destination for both leisure and business travelers.
Transforming the Middle East’s Hospitality and Tourism Landscape
The Middle East is undergoing unprecedented growth in its hospitality and tourism sector, spurred by strategic investments, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts that the sector will contribute approximately $250 billion to the region’s GDP by 2025, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.5%. In 2022 alone, over 27 million international tourists visited the Middle East, marking a significant recovery in the post-pandemic era.
Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are leading the region’s tourism renaissance through initiatives such as Expo 2020 Dubai and Saudi Vision 2030, which have helped bolster infrastructure and diversify tourism offerings. The hospitality sector is experiencing similar growth, with hotel occupancy rates in major cities exceeding 70% and airlines expanding their networks to connect more travelers to the region.
Celebrating Leadership and Innovation
The leaders recognized by Hozpitality exemplify a dedication to promoting the Middle East as a prime travel destination while fostering sustainability, cultural preservation, and economic growth. Their efforts have not only propelled their companies but also shaped the future of travel in the region.
List of the Best 30 Most Popular Hospitality and Tourism Leaders (in alphabetical order):
Adel Abdullah Ali, Group CEO & Executive Director, Air Arabia
Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, Emirates Airline & Group
Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah International Airport Authority
Amir Golbarg, Senior VP, Middle East & Africa, Minor International
Antonoaldo Neves, Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group
Badr Mohammed Al Meer, CEO, Qatar Airways Group
Basmah Al-Mayman, Regional Director, Middle East at UNWTO
Cenk Ünverdi, COO, Rixos Hotels and AIC
Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Duncan O’Rourke, CEO Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia-Pacific | Premium, Midscale & Economy, Accor
Elena Sorlini, MD & CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA)
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai
Guenter H Gebhard, Regional VP, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Hotels
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director MEA & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing
Kamil Al-Awadhi, CEO, Kuwait Airways; Regional VP Africa & Middle East, IATA
Mark Kirby, COO – Head of Hospitality, Emaar Hospitality Group
Markus Oberlin, CEO, Farnek
Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels
Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports
Pawan Kachroo, MD, Khamas Hospitality
Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
Sandeep Walia, COO Middle East, Marriott International
Simon Casson, CEO, Corinthia Hotels Limited
Sultan Al-Otaibi, CEO, Dur Hospitality
Tim Cordon, CEO, Radisson Hotel Group
Tyrone Reid, Group CEO, MMI & Emirates Leisure Retail
These leaders have set benchmarks in operational excellence, innovation, and sustainability, and their influence continues to shape the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors for years to come.
