Arabian Travel & Cargo Awards 2025 Highlights Excellence in Tourism and Logistics

Dubai: The Middle East travel and logistics industries converged in Dubai for two of the region’s most prestigious honours –Arabian Travel Awards and Arabian Cargo Awards – celebrating excellence across tourism, hospitality, aviation, logistics and supply chain. Together, the back-to-back ceremonies underscored the region’s growing stature as a global hub for both visitor economy and trade connectivity.

Held at Embassy Suites by Hilton Business Bay, both programmes – widely regarded as the “Oscars of the industry” – welcomed senior government officials, ambassadors, tourism authorities, hospitality leaders and cargo specialists. The ceremonies were hosted by SanJeet, Director of DDP Group, who addressed a distinguished gathering that included Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director of Tourism Development at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Tengku Dato’ Sirajuzzaman Tengku Mohamed Ariffin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE; Mohammed Abdulla Al Suwaidi, Air Cargo Head at Dubai Customs; and Ute Brunn, Deputy Consul General of Germany in Dubai.

A shared highlight was the unveiling of a collector’s edition coffee table book, presented on stage in the presence of the dignitaries. The publication captured milestones, leaders and success stories shaping the Middle East’s travel, hospitality and logistics ecosystems, reinforcing the region’s reputation as one of the most dynamic destinations for tourism growth and global trade.

Arabian Travel Awards 2025

At the Arabian Travel Awards, SanJeet highlighted the platform’s strong engagement, with over 6,000 votes cast across categories – reflecting the confidence the industry places in meaningful, peer-recognised honours.

Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, who attended as Chief Guest, emphasised the role of collaborative platforms in elevating standards, nurturing innovation and positioning the UAE and the region as global tourism leaders.

Top leadership accolades recognised individuals making long-term impact:

• Gallery of Legends: Alaa Al Ali, CEO of NG9 Holding and Nirvana Travel and Tourism
• DDP Game Changer: Hatim Alharbi, Chief of Tourism, Aseer Development Authority
• DDP Trailblazer: Naeem Darkazally, Founder & CEO, Keef Hospitality Consultancy
• Face of the Future: Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail & Leisure UAE, dnata Travel

Across hospitality, destination marketing, corporate travel services and technology categories, dozens of organisations were honoured for advancing guest experience, sustainability, accessibility, digital transformation and operational excellence.

Arabian Cargo Awards 2025

The Arabian Cargo Awards welcomed strong participation with more than 4,000 industry votes, celebrating achievements across airlines, freight forwarding, logistics providers, terminal operators, technology innovators and sustainability leaders.

Guest of Honour Ute Brunn highlighted the Middle East’s essential role as a bridge between East and West, praising the region’s efficiency and forward-thinking spirit that continues to strengthen its position on the global logistics map.

Leadership honours included:

• Gallery of Legends: Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer, Etihad Airways
• DDP Game Changer: Guillaume Crozier, Chief Cargo Officer, dnata
• DDP Trailblazer: Naresh Ranganathan, Vice President, Velora Cargo & Logistics
• Face of the Future: Aaron Smith, Director, ACI Logistics

Special recognitions were also presented to public-sector partners safeguarding and strengthening the UAE’s cargo ecosystem, including Dubai Customs, Dubai Police – Cargo, and State Security Department – Cargo. Awards across additional categories celebrated excellence in aviation cargo, sea freight, automotive logistics, digital transformation, sustainability and cross-border e-commerce logistics.

Together, the two ceremonies reaffirmed the Arabian Awards platform as a benchmark of excellence linking the tourism and cargo sectors – two pillars of the Middle East’s economic diversification and global connectivity strategy.

Winners Lists – Full Official Results

Arabian Travel Awards 2025 – Complete Winners List

1. Gallery of Legends – Alaa Al Ali
2. DDP Gamechanger – Hatim Al Harbi
3. DDP Trailblazer – Naeem Darkazally
4. Face of the Future – Meerah Ketait
5. Best Family Friendly Resort in Northern Emirates – Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
6. Best B2B Travel Portal – Middle East – Akbar Travels
7. Best Debut Hotel Apartments – Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai
8. Best City Hotel – Novotel Dubai Al Barsha
9. Most Promising Destination – Jamaica Tourist Board
10. Best Corporate Travel Management Company – Satguru Travel & Tourism
11. Best Destination Wedding Resort – Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai
12. Best Business & Leisure Hotel – Grand Millennium Dubai
13. Most Innovative Corporate Booking Tool Developed in the Middle East – Blue Seven Technologies (OBT7)
14. Best Lifestyle Resort – Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort
15. Best Cultural Tourism Destination – Spain
16. Fastest Growing Hotel Management Company – Gewan Hotels & Resorts
17. Best Destination Management Company – Qatar – Tawfeeq Holidays
18. Most Comfortable Hotel Apartments – Golden Sands Hotel Apartments
19. Fastest Growing GSA – ITVAR GSA Travel LLC
20. Best Travel Booking Platform –com
21. Fastest Growing GCC Tourism Destination – Aseer Region
22. Most Promising Travel Management Company – Pluto Group
23. Best Destination Marketing Initiatives – Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
24. Best 5-Star Business Hotel – Swissotel Al Murooj Dubai
25. Fastest Growing B2B Travel Portal – Book Your Voyage
26. Best Beach Resort – Fairmont Ajman
27. Best Corporate Travel Company – Musafir Business
28. Emerging DMC – Qatar – Odyssey DMC Qatar
29. Outstanding Sales Performance to Malaysia – Emirates Holidays
30. Outstanding Travel Trade Partner for Malaysia – Sharaf Travel
31. Fastest Growing Airline Partner to Malaysia – flydubai
32. Best Debut 5-Star Hotel – Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay
33. Best Luxury Serviced Apartments – Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments
34. Best Travel Management Company in the UAE – ATS Travel
35. Most Loved Travel Destination by Millennials & Gen Z – Korea Tourism Organization
36. Best Wedding & MICE Hotel – Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Hotel & Convention Centre Dubai
37. Fastest Growing Luxury Tour Operator – Concierge ONE Tourism
38. Most Reliable B2B Travel Portal – Smart Travel LLC
39. Best Wellness Destination – Czech Tourism
40. Best B2B Travel Company – Top Travel Trip (T3)
41. Best 4-Star Leisure Hotel – Golden Tulip Media Hotel
42. Fastest Growing TMC in Africa – European Travel
43. Most Active in Promoting Sustainable & Accessible Travel – German National Tourist Office – Gulf Countries
44. Best Leisure Tour Operator – TravTips
45. Best Family Friendly Hotel – Swissotel Al Ghurair
46. Fastest Growing DMC Portal – UAE – Arabian Journeys
47. Best Urban Lifestyle Hotel – Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach
48. Fastest Growing Travel Management Company – Blueberry Travel (Friends Travel & Tourism LLC)
49. Best NTO – South East Asia – Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
50. UAE’s Leading DMC – Odyssey DMC UAE
51. Best Refurbished 4-Star Hotel – MD Hotel by Gewan
52. Fastest Growing B2B Online Portal – Qatar – EzyTrip
53. Sharjah’s Leading 4-Star Hotel – Golden Sands Hotel & Residences Sharjah
54. Leading Online Travel Enterprise in the Region –com
55. Best 4-Star Corporate Hotel – Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Business Bay
56. Emerging DMC – Oman – Odyssey DMC Oman
57. Platinum Sponsor – Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
58. Hospitality Partner – Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay

Arabian Cargo Awards 2025 – Complete Winners List

1. Gallery of Legends – Stanislas Brun
2. DDP Gamechanger – Guillaume Crozier
3. DDP Trailblazer – Naresh Ranganathan
4. Face of the Future – Aaron Smith
5. Special Recognition for Safeguarding Dubai’s Trade & Logistics Ecosystem – State Security Department – Cargo
6. Special Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to the Cargo & Logistics Industry – Dubai Customs
7. Special Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to Cargo Security – Dubai Police – Cargo
8. Excellence in Supporting UAE Freight & Logistics – National Association of Freight and Logistics
9. Best International Air Cargo Terminal – Dubai Airports
10. Best Cargo GSA – Airglow Aviation
11. Emerging Aerospace Logistics Provider – Compass Logistics International
12. Best Sea Freight Forwarding Company – Automotive – Transport Overseas Shipping DMCC
13. Fastest Growing Air Cargo Products Manufacturer – AeroNet
14. Best Cargo Airline – Etihad Cargo
15. Emerging Freight Forwarder – Air – BGL Cargo Express LLC
16. Most Innovative Cargo Airline – EightD by Fits Cargo
17. Best Sea Freight Forwarder – Exports – Orient Cargo Agency
18. Best Cargo Airline – Africa – Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services
19. Excellence in After Sales Service – DIMOS FZCO
20. Best Global Forwarding Company – DHL Global Forwarding
21. Most Promising Freight Forwarder – Air – Expolanka Freight Dubai LLC
22. Most Innovative Cargo GSA – Air One Cargo FZCO (part of Azimi Group)
23. Excellence in Automotive Logistics – General Motors
24. Sustainability Leadership in Freight & Facilities – Schneider
25. Excellence in Digital Transformation for Logistics – Edge
26. Most Promising GSA – GSA Global Cargo LLC
27. Fastest Growing Freight Forwarding Company – Qatar – Tawfeeq Cargo & Logistics
28. Most Innovative Cargo Agency in the UAE – Nine Yards Shipping & Logistics Services LLC
29. Best Debut Cargo Airline – SolitAir Cargo Airline
30. Most Promising Cargo Airline – Africa – Kenya Cargo
31. Best Cross-Border E-Commerce Logistics Solution Provider – RSA Global
32. Most Promising Air Cargo Terminal Operator – Velora
33. Fastest Growing Freight Forwarder – Personal Effects – Scanwell Logistics LLC
34. Emerging Cargo GSA – KS Global Logistics FZCO
35. Excellence in Specialised Supply Chain Solutions – ACI Logistics
36. Emerging Air Cargo Company – Charter – Ascent Cargo
37. Best Commercial Vehicle Manufacturers – IVECO
38. Best Debut GSA – Skylink
39. Emerging Cargo Airline – Africa – Uganda Airlines
40. Gold Partner – DHL Global Forwarding
41. Silver Partner – Etihad Cargo
42. Hospitality Partner – Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay