Tag Archives: 2023

Ezytrip, Qatar wins ‘Fastest growing B2B online travel portal’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023.  Rehan Ali Syed – CEO – Tawfeeq Travel shared, “The event was very well planned and organised. The overall setup was very lively and gave a good opportunity to network and connect with industry leaders across the region. These awards encourage business to continuously improvise and innovate. Travel awards can help acknowledge and promote businesses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the travel and tourism sector. This recognition can lead to increased visibility and credibility within the industry and among travellers. Winning an Arabian Travel Award is a thrilling achievement, signifying recognition for excellence in the travel industry and a sense of pride and accomplishment. This award works as a powerful motivator to excel in 2024 and maintain or surpass the award categories. This will help us to drive and provide better travel experiences to our travellers.”    

Edge Creekside Hotel wins Best 4 Star Contemporary Hotel at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Jawad Saade – General Manager – Edge Creekside Hotel shared, “It was a great event, and well-organized by the Arabian Travel Awards team. We enjoyed the lovely entertainment and set up. It is an honour to be awarded by Arabian Travel Awards. I and the whole Edge team are grateful to be recognized as one of the industry’s bests. This recognition is a vital motif to not settle for less ever. And to always keep going and stick to our objectives for the next year.”

Saudi tourism statistics achieved positive results during this year, with total number of tourists (overnight visitors for all purposes) reaching (53.6 million), including (39.0 million) domestic tourists and (14.6 million) inbound tourists. The Ministry of Tourism is delighted to announce the preliminary data for the first half of 2023 tourism statistics, which demonstrates the continuous achievements following 2022’s remarkable growth within the tourism sector, in addition to informing local and international investors on the sector’s latest updates, this confirms the effectiveness of the Ministry of Tourism and its partners efforts in attracting visitors by enhancing the tourism products and quality of services, in addition to improving visa structures. Saudi tourism statistics achieved positive results during this year, with total number of tourists (overnight visitors for all purposes) reaching (53.6 million), including (39.0 million) domestic tourists and (14.6 million) inbound tourists. The total tourism spending reached (SAR150 billion), of which (SAR 63.1 billion) came from domestic tourism and (SAR 86.9 billion) from Inbound tourism, that indicates a new historical record for Saudi tourism. Inbound tourism achieved historical record numbers in the first half of 2023, recording an increase of (142%) in number of tourists and (132%) in total tourism spending vs. the first half of 2022. With the continuous development of the tourism sector, there has been an increase in the number of tourists for all purposes with leisure tourists showing the highest growth (347%) vs. the first half of 2022. Domestic tourism in the first half of 2023 recorded a growth of (16%) in tourism spending, due to the average length of stay increasing from (4.6) nights in the first half of 2022 to (6.3) nights in the first half of …

Tilal Liwa Abu Dhabi wins ‘Best Desert Resort’ title at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023.  Diana Kornilakis, General Manager, Tilal Liwa Hotel shared, “The team of Arabian Travel Awards did an amazing job, the planning and execution of the event was spotless. Winning the Arabian Travel Award is a validation of hard work, dedication and excellence in the travel industry. It is a pride to be recognized and appreciated by peers and industry experts. Winning an award is a motivation to continuously strive for excellence. It inspires to maintain high standards and push boundaries in the hospitality field.”  

Malta Tourism Authority won the title as the ‘Best Market Engagement by a tourism board’ award at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Faraz Ahmed Khan – General Manager – Aviareps shared, “The Arabian Travel Awards 2023 held special significance, recognizing the achievements of our clients, Mauritius and Malta. The event’s organization and entertainment were of top-notch quality! Congrats to ATA team. Securing an Arabian Travel Award 2023 is a significant emotional milestone. Winning in two categories is genuinely satisfying. Our immeasurable gratitude for this honor fuels the belief that we deserved even more. These awards are more than triumphs; they mirror our deep passion. Fueled by gratitude, we’re determined to surpass expectations in 2024, aiming for success in additional categories. Eagerly anticipating ATA 2024.”

dusitD2 kenz Hotel emerged winner in the category as ‘Best Business Hotel’ at the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Bassam Zakaria, Cluster General Manager – dusitD2 kenz Hotel & Dusit Princess Residences – Dubai Marina shared, “Our winning streak for 2 consecutive years in Arabian Travel Awards reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence at both our properties. This year’s awards night was exceptional, filled with entertainment and served as a grand celebration of the hard work of all hoteliers and industry partners throughout this year. We are honoured to bring Dusit’s signature Thai-inspired hospitality to Dubai, and we are eager to provide more exceptional services and transformative experiences for our valued guests and patrons in the exciting times ahead. This award not only acknowledges our past achievements but also motivates us for 2024, spurring us on to surpass even greater milestones, setting new standards in hospitality and guest experience.”

Millennium Place Hotel Mirdif emerged winner as the ‘Best 4 Star Lifestyle Hotel’ at Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Shady Dawad – General Manager – Millennium Place Hotel Mirdif shared, “The Arabian Travel Awards is a fascinating assembly of innovators in the hospitality industry. Being consistently named the Best 4-Star Hotel is an incredible experience. This demonstrates our dedication to providing excellent guest service. The award is a powerful inspiration for us to ignite our zeal and strive for even greater heights in the year 2024.”    

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel was awarded “Best Destination Wedding Hotel” at the Arabian Travel Awards for 2023.  This prestigious recognition is a testament to the hotel’s commitment to offering exceptional wedding experiences, luxurious accommodations, and world-class service. The prestigious travel awards is renowned for recognizing luminaries in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors, marking a significant milestone for these industries. The Arabian Travel Awards 2023 show was held at Sofitel Downtown Dubai, and was graced by H.E. Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil bin Shamsuddin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE who also presented the awards to the stars of the evening. Area General Manager, Mr. Iftikhar Hamdani, expressed his delight about this achievement: “Receiving the title of ‘Best Destination Wedding Hotel’ is a great honour. It reflects the unwavering commitment and effort we put into every wedding celebration. We aim to create magical moments for our clients, and this award is a validation of our excellence.”  He also conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to its team.  “In fact, this wouldn’t have been possible without our expert team of event planners and hospitality professionals.” Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel managed by Hospitality Management Holding, takes pride in its versatility and commitment to hosting a wide range of events. They are not only the perfect setting for dream weddings but also an ideal venue for various other occasions, including sports events, beauty pageants, conferences, and more. This achievement comes as a continuation of the hotel’s success, as they were previously recognized as the “Best 5-Star Luxury Hotel in Ajman 2021” by the Arabian Travel Awards.  Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel looks forward to providing its clients with remarkable experiences that create cherished memories.  

The Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) officially sealed a significant partnership with Karisma Hotels and Resorts at the World Travel Market in London 2023. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a testament to their joint commitment to attracting investment opportunities that will boost tourism not only in Ajman but also in the broader United Arab Emirates. The agreement reflects their mutual desire to support, develop, and strengthen their collaborative efforts within a defined institutional framework, respecting the unique roles and responsibilities of each party and aligned with their shared goals. Both parties are determined to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences to harmonize their visions for the future. Under the terms of this MoU, the two entities will collaborate on the assessment of tourism and hotel projects in the Emirate of Ajman. Their primary focus will be on the development of comprehensive five-star resorts and hotels in Ajman, along with entertainment ventures and similar initiatives. His Excellency H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development, expressed his optimism about this pivotal partnership, stating, “This strategic alliance with Karisma Hotels and Resorts marks a significant milestone in our journey to promote tourism in Ajman. Through this agreement, we aim to foster investment opportunities and emphasize the establishment of top-notch integrated resorts, ultimately enhancing Ajman’s reputation as a premier tourist destination. We firmly believe that this collaboration will lay the foundation for sustained growth and success in Ajman’s tourism sector.” Mr. Nemanja Kostic, CEO of Karisma Hotels and Resorts, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “We are excited to embark on this journey alongside the Ajman Department of Tourism Development. Karisma Hotels and Resorts have a proven …

A coalition of 18 government and private entities in collaboration with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is participating at WTM from 6th to 8th November 2023. The focus is to showcase the emirate’s noteworthy accomplishments in aligning tourism sector growth with the preservation of environmental, heritage, and cultural values—an essential component of its sustainable tourism diversification strategy. Throughout its participation, the emirate will shine a spotlight on a diverse array of exceptional experiences and destinations, encompassing environmental, desert, heritage, cultural, recreational, adventure, and sports tourism. Sharjah is distinguished by its unique environmental diversity, spanning from the desert to the islands, including landmarks such as the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, Mleiha Archaeological and Ecotourism Project, Buhais Geology Park, Sharjah Safari, and natural reserves like the Wasit Wetland Centre and Al Qurm Nature Reserve. The emirate has been steadfast in its growth. In 2022, Sharjah’s hotels welcomed over 1.4 million guests, and this year has seen a substantial increase in guest numbers. Between January and September 2023, the emirate received more than 1.1 million guests, marking an impressive 18% increase over the same period in 2022. Strong public-private synergies creating a more sustainable sector This year, several prominent institutions and entities are participating in collaboration with SCTDA, including Sharjah International Airport Authority, Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah Institute of Heritage, as well as Sharjah Asset Management, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah Sports Council, and Sharjah Old Cars Club. From the private sector, participating entities in collaboration with SCTDA include Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Sharjah National Hotels, The Chedi Al Bait Hotel, Sharjah, Coral Beach Resort, …