• U.A.E.-based listees dominate with 54 entries, followed by 19 in Saudi Arabia and nine in Egypt.
  • The most populated sector is hotels and resorts, with 50 entries.
  • Heads of Emirates Airline and the Emirates Group, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism make up the top three.

Dubai, U.A.E. – Forbes Middle East has revealed its flagship ranking of the Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders in the Middle East, spotlighting the leaders enticing travelers to its shores and redefining the region’s status on the world stage. To construct this list, Forbes Middle East looked at the size of the business—including revenues, the value of investments and assets, the number of hotel keys—ownership of assets, and the experience, designation, and achievements of the business leader. All individuals had to be based in MENA. 

Executives on this list represent nine countries in the region. Of the 100, 54 leaders are based in the U.A.E., followed by 19 in Saudi Arabia and nine in Egypt. Combined, these three countries account for 82% of the ranking. With 50 entries, hotels and resorts make up the bulk of the list. Airlines and tourism development follow in popularity in the list, at 17 and 11 entries, respectively.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and the Emirates Group, topped the list. Emirates has the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s. As of December 2023, it had a fleet of 260 aircraft in service and flew between 143 destinations. Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin and Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, round up the top three.

Across the travel and tourism ecosystem, industry heavyweights have been involved in a flurry of deals, promising further growth for the region. For instance, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri led ADQ and ADNEC Group to sign a definitive agreement to acquire a 40.5% stake in Hisham Talaat Moustafa’s TMG Holding’s hospitality arm, the ICON Group. Similarly, Kabir Mulchandani’s FIVE Holdings bought The Pacha Group, encompassing its hotel and nightclub ventures. On the tourism development front, Raki Phillips played a key role in securing one of the largest foreign direct investments in Ras Al Khaimah to date: a $3.9 billion deal with Wynn Resorts to develop a 1,500 key integrated resort on Al Marjan Island.

Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders In The Middle East 2024:

Sector Breakdown

Hotels & Resorts

50

Airports

5

Airlines

17

Private Aviation

4

Tourism Development

11

Travel Services

4

Destinations

8

Diversified

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Travel & Tourism Leaders In The Middle East 2024

  • Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
    • Country: U.A.E.
    • Nationality: Emirati
    • Chairman & Chief Executive,
    • Emirates Airline & Group
  • Fahd Hamidaddin
    • Country: Saudi Arabia
    • Nationality: Saudi
    • CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA)
  • Helal Saeed Almarri
    • Country: U.A.E.
    • Nationality: Emirati
    • Director General, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
  • Badr Mohammed Al-Meer
    • Country: Qatar
    • Nationality: Qatari
    • Group CEO, Qatar Airways Group
  • Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry
    • Country: U.A.E.
    • Nationality: Emirati
    • Director General for Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)
  • Mohammed Almaghlouth
    • Country: Saudi Arabia
    • Nationality: Saudi
    • CEO, MATARAT Holding
  • Hesham Al Qassim
    • Country: U.A.E.
    • Nationality: Emirati
    • CEO, Wasl
  •  Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri
    • Country: U.A.E.
    • Nationality: Emirati
    • Managing Director & Group CEO, ADNEC Group
  • Jerry Inzerillo
    • Country: Saudi Arabia
    • Nationality: American
    • Group CEO, Diriyah Company
  • Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi
    • Country: U.A.E.
    • Nationality: Emirati
    • Group CEO, Miral

Click here for the complete list of The Middle East’s Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders 2024.

About Forbes Middle East

Forbes Middle East is a licensed edition of Forbes for the Arab world, championing inspiring business journalism and entrepreneurial capitalism. Its online and social platforms break news covering billionaires, business, investment, technology, economy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and luxury lifestyles. The monthly magazine, featuring in-depth interviews with the Middle East’s most influential and innovative leaders, is published in print in English and Arabic, with digital versions available to both regional and global audiences online. Forbes Middle East extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world, conducting its own comprehensive research to publish original lists that adhere to strict methodologies. Its content attracts business leaders, investors, active and potential entrepreneurs, and a wide audience of ambitious and influential executives.

Media contact: Basma Aly Sadek: basma@forbesmiddleeast.com