World Travel Awards – the leading authority that recognizes and rewards excellence in travel and tourism – has revealed its Middle East 2024 winners.
The reveal aligns with the Arabian Travel Market’s kickoff, a top event in the regional industry.
Notably, Saadiyat Island has been crowned ‘Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination,’ reinforcing its status as a premier coastal getaway.
Abu Dhabi continues to attract business travelers, winning ‘Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Destination’. This accolade underscores the city’s capacity as a global hub for commerce and conventions.
Dubai has been named ‘Middle East’s Leading Destination,’ affirming its position as a leading global city for both tourism and business. Meanwhile, Doha has secured the title of ‘Middle East’s Leading City Destination,’ celebrated for its dynamic urban environment.
Saudi Arabia was recognized as both the ‘Middle East’s Leading Cultural Destination’ and ‘Middle East’s Leading Heritage Destination.’ AlUla, in particular, stood out as ‘Middle East’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project,’ highlighting its historical and cultural significance.
In the aviation sector, Qatar Airways and Emirates received multiple awards, emphasizing their dominance in the region’s airline industry. Etihad Airways also garnered praise, particularly for its exceptional customer service and inflight entertainment.
The hospitality sector saw Jumeirah Al Naseem win ‘Middle East’s Leading Hotel,’ while the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah retained its title as ‘Middle East’s Leading All-Suite Hotel.’ Other hospitality winners included Address Hotels + Resorts and The Ascott Limited, recognized for their outstanding brand offerings.
New entries to the list, such as the Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay and Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort, were acknowledged as leading new hotel and resort, respectively. This highlights the continuous growth and investment in the region’s hospitality industry.
The comprehensive list of winners includes various categories from adventure tourism, such as Doha Bus Adventure winning ‘Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator,’ to luxury stays, like Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, awarded ‘Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel.’
Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, said, “Our winners represent the very best of the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector and my congratulations to each of them. They are all playing starring roles in leading the region to even greater heights.”
Lumi Rental is the leading mobility provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a key partner of World Travel Awards. Through cutting-edge technology and personalised services, Lumi brings new energy and dynamism to transportation.
Azfar Shakeel, CEO, Lumi Rental said, “Lumi Rental is proud to be a key sponsor of the World Travel Awards, an esteemed platform that celebrates excellence in the travel and tourism industry. As a leading player in Saudi Arabia’s mobility sector, our partnership underscores our commitment to enhancing travel experiences and promoting tourism across the region. This collaboration not only reaffirms our dedication to delivering unparalleled service but also highlights our role in shaping the future of travel. Together with the World Travel Awards, we continue to inspire innovation and elevate standards, ensuring memorable journeys for travellers worldwide.”
The announcement comes as part of WTA’s Grand Tour 2024, a global search for the finest travel and tourism organisations, covering six continents, with events in Berlin (Germany), St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Manila (Philippines) and Diani Beach (Kenya). The winners of these regional ceremonies will progress to the Grand Final in Madeira (Portugal) at the end of the year when the winners of the prestigious World categories will be unveiled.
