The Arabian Travel Awards concluded its First Edition in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step forward in recognising and honouring top achievers within the Kingdom’s fast-growing travel, tourism, and hospitality sector. The event celebrated trailblazers, innovators, and organisations whose contributions are driving Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a world-class global destination. With the Kingdom’s tourism landscape evolving at record pace under Vision 2030, the inaugural edition aimed to spotlight excellence across airlines, hotels, travel agencies, technology providers, tourism boards, and service partners — shaping the future of travel in the region. The event was supported by TravTalk Middle East as the official media partner, bringing regional coverage and industry visibility to the award winners, participating brands, and the broader travel community. TravTalk Middle East’s partnership reinforces the shared mission of empowering industry talent, encouraging innovation, and amplifying Saudi Arabia’s tourism potential to global audiences. The First Arabian Travel Awards in Saudi Arabia represents the beginning of a new chapter — one that celebrates success stories, elevates standards, and strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a leading tourism hub.

Hessa Almazroa, General Manager Novotel Riyadh Sahafa, a trailblazer in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry and the first Saudi woman to launch and manage a hotel in the Kingdom, has been chosen as the DDP Face of the Future. With over 20 years of experience, Almazroa has excelled in hotel operations, strategic marketing, and guest experience enhancement. As General Manager of Novotel Riyadh Sahafa, she led the hotel’s opening and growth with vision, service excellence, and inspired team leadership. Earlier, she also steered Novotel Alanoud, Novotel Suites Olaya, and served as GM, PR & Communication, Al Hokair Group, launching the acclaimed CSR programme “Ataa”. A dedicated advocate for women in leadership, she also serves as Deputy Vice Chairman of the Hotels Committee at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce.

Hashim Alshawi, General Manager of Ashraqat, a dynamic business development and sales leader with a track record of exceeding targets, driving growth, and leading high-performing teams, was honoured as the DDP Trailblazer at the First Edition of the Arabian Travel Awards in Saudi Arabia. As Director of Corporate Travel & Tourism at the Elaf Group, Alshawi excels in strategic planning, sales management, and business expansion, adapting effortlessly to fast-paced environments. Skilled in negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and building lasting partnerships, Alshawi holds strong interest in government, tourism, investment, and cultural sectors. Multiple certifications from Saudi, British, and American institutions reinforce his expertise across sales, account management, and entrepreneurship.

Daniel Ponzo Group Managing Director of Zahid Travel Group entered the Gallery of Legends at the First Edition of the Arabian Travel Awards in Saudi Arabia. Ponzo is a distinguished global travel executive with over 30 years of leadership across Europe and the GCC. As Group Managing Director of Zahid Travel Group in Saudi Arabia, he has played a pivotal role in transforming corporate, luxury, and destination management during a defining era for the Kingdom. An Italian-Swiss leader based in Jeddah, he speaks five languages and is known for driving growth, operational excellence, and digital advancement. He built Zahid Travel Group’s destination management arm from inception, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 tourism ambitions. Passionate about cultural connection and innovation, Ponzo continues to shape the future of travel across the region.

Saleem Sharif Deputy Managing Director, ATS Travel, a travel industry leader with over 30 years of experience in transforming travel management companies across the Middle East, was recognised as the DDP Gamechanger at the inaugural Arabian Travel Awards in Saudi Arabia. Known for his innovative and strategic foresight, Sharif has successfully built and scaled verticals, including Corporate Travel, MICE, Luxury, Leisure, DMC, Charters, Logistics, Automation, and IT Solutions. He is especially recognised for driving market growth in Saudi Arabia, securing prestigious PIF-linked and multinational accounts, and redefining service standards. He has led the shift from traditional models to advanced automated platforms, enhancing cost efficiency and client control. A respected speaker and thought leader, he continues to influence future-focused travel strategy in the region.

For the first time in the capital, TIME hosted the inaugural TIME100 Impact Awards Abu Dhabi during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix weekend. The event celebrated leaders and visionaries shaping the future of their industries and communities, marking another milestone in TIME’s continued expansion in the region. The gala brought together honorees Alexis Ohanian, Jamie Salter, Kate Kallot, and Zak Brown, alongside regional dignitaries, global executives, innovators, and members of the TIME and TIME100 Companies community. Among the honorees was also His Excellency Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Formula One champion driver Mika Häkkinen, Capital.com MENA CEO Tarik Chebib, NMDC Group CEO Yasser Zaghloul, and other distinguished guests. The TIME100 Impact Awards Abu Dhabi was presented in partnership with Capital.com and NMDC Group.

Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok continues to shape a new chapter of sustainable luxury in the heart of the city, weaving environmental responsibility into every layer of its architecture, landscape, and guest experience. Conceived as a sanctuary where modern design flows seamlessly into lush greenery, the hotel stands today as a thoughtful balance of style, Thai heritage, and global sustainability standards. Long before the hotel rose above Tonson and Langsuan, three century-old freshwater mangrove trees stood quietly on the land that would become Sindhorn Village. Considered guardians of the neighborhood, these trees were preserved, replanted, and now flourish within Chevaa Garden — a green promenade that anchors the property in Thailand’s natural heritage. From this garden, guests can wander toward Bangkok’s iconic parks, forming a rare corridor of urban biodiversity in the middle of the metropolis. This profound connection to nature is echoed in the hotel’s architecture. The building curves and rises like a sculptural extension of the landscape, framed by floor-to-ceiling glass, natural light, and open-air ventilation that encourages breezes to move freely through the lobby and atrium. Triple-layer glazing reduces heat and noise, while thoughtful engineering reduces energy consumption without compromising comfort. This approach has earned the property two respected marks of environmental excellence: LEED, which recognizes buildings designed and operated with high standards of environmental performance, and EarthCheck, a global benchmarking program that evaluates how well a property manages resources, reduces waste, and minimizes its overall impact. Sindhorn Kempinski’s sustainability commitments extend far beyond design. Inside every room, guests find carefully chosen amenities that reduce unnecessary waste, from LED lighting and eco-friendly water cartons to paper straws and resource-efficient fixtures. The Green Artifact program invites travelers to join …

The UAE’s coveted Arabian Travel Awards will debut in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tonight to recognise the silent contributors of the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors in the kingdom. An invite-only black-tie event is the perfect platform which brings together cities from across the kingdom to network and recognise the individuals and companies that have dedicated their efforts to make the kingdom a tourism powerhouse. The Arabian Travel Awards known as the Oscars of the industry started in the Middle East region in 2017 in the UAE. After eight years of success and the request of the avid readers of TravTalkME, this year it debuts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Convener of the prestigious award San Jeet shares that this award is an honour bestowed on the visionaries, innovators, and leaders who have significantly contributed to the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Arabian Travel Awards is DDP group’s first-ever international initiative to celebrate the best talent from the tourism and hospitality industries in the Middle East. The awards consist of a unique system of jury judgement and internet voting to give out absolutely fair and unbiased results. San Jeet, Convener Arabian Travel Awards and CEO DDP Group, ““With Arabian Travel Awards, we aim at identifying and encouraging talent of all kinds in the tourism sector. Owing to these stars, the graph of the Middle East tourism industry has touched remarkable heights. It is our pleasure to honour them for their achievements. This initiative will help encourage more talent to develop and take this vibrant industry to a much higher level. We celebrate excellence, recognize achievements, and look forward to the continued growth and success of our industry. The …

Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hospitality management company in the Middle East and Africa, has secured the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand for an upcoming 84-key hotel in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, owned by AREA Investment and Real Estate. This marks Aleph Hospitality’s third Tapestry Collection by Hilton property under management, further strengthening the company’s partnership with global hospitality company Hilton and expanding its footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. AREA Investment and Real Estate’s franchise agreement with Hilton and management agreement with Aleph Hospitality marks an important milestone for the firm as they continue to invest in high-quality hospitality assets that contribute to the region’s growing tourism sector. Scheduled to open in 2027, the hotel will be part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton’s portfolio of independent boutique hotels, each rich in cultural charm and deeply connected to its destination. With vibrant designs and one-of-a-kind experiences, the hotel will also be part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty programme. Tariq Dowidar, Vice President Saudi Arabia, Aleph Hospitality, said: “We have a longstanding and close relationship with Hilton, founded on our shared commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, our goal is to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maximising operational performance and value for the owners.” Carlos Khneisser, Chief Development Officer, MEA, Hilton, said: “We are delighted to partner with AREA Investment and Real Estate to debut the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Dammam, managed by Aleph Hospitality. Demand for lifestyle hotels continues to rise, and we remain committed to growing our presence across the Kingdom, with over 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline. Tapestry Collection offers guests an authentic, and unique stay experience, and we are excited …

The world’s longest-running annual retail celebration of its kind, the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) commenced with an unforgettable opening weekend, the DSF extravaganza running until 11 January 2026 will transform Dubai into a vibrant hub of shopping deals, raffles, and immersive entertainment, drawing millions of visitors across the globe to experience the city’s unmatched blend of retail innovation, culture, and global flair. The opening weekend promises high-energy concerts, captivating family entertainment, and cutting-edge visual displays, setting the tone for a 38-day season of wonder, excitement and family entertainment. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “DSF’s 31st edition embodies Dubai’s spirit of excellence, innovation and diversity, celebrating our community while driving economic and cultural growth. It not only marks a major milestone for the festival but also reaffirms the aspiration of our visionary leadership to make Dubai the world’s best city to visit, live and work in. With electrifying performances from international artists set to spearhead DSF’s opening weekend, along with pioneering drone and pyro displays, we are igniting an entire season of shared memories and unparalleled opportunities for residents and visitors from around the world.” Adding style and glamour to the weekend, Bollywood star Nora Fatehi will dazzle audiences at e& DSF Nights, the daily celebrations that will be held at Dubai Festival City Mall. Famed for her high-energy dance performances and infectious rhythms, Fatehi’s live show will take place on 6 December 2025 at the mall’s scenic Festival Bay. The venue will also showcase stunning fireworks at 8.30 pm, promising an evening that radiates cultural vibrancy and celebration. A Canadian-Moroccan actress, dancer, and global sensation, …