Hozpitality Group | October 28, 2024

These visionary leaders, selected through a public voting process, represent a wide range of expertise and organizational backgrounds.

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 28, 2024— Hozpitality.com proudly presents its prestigious Power List of the 30 Most Popular Hospitality and Tourism Leaders, recognizing the remarkable achievements of top executives who have made a profound impact on the region’s dynamic hospitality and tourism industries. 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 Ãœnverdi, 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.

For further information, please contact: Hozpitality Group Email: email@hozpitality.com, Phone: +971 4 334 3177