Dubai has again demonstrated why the Middle East remains one of global tourism’s most fiercely competitive arenas, with the region’s leading destinations, airlines and hospitality brands honoured at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2026.
Held at One&Only One Za’abeel in Dubai, the glittering industry gathering brought together senior tourism and hospitality figures for an evening that was heavy on trophies and, unsurprisingly in Dubai, hardly short of polish.
The complete list of World Travel Awards Middle East 2026 winners highlights the region’s tourism sector’s growing strength and ambition.
Dubai was named Middle East’s Leading Destination, further strengthening its reputation as a heavyweight on the international tourism stage. Abu Dhabi secured Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Destination, while Saadiyat Island took Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination.
Saudi Arabia also enjoyed a strong evening, winning Middle East’s Leading Heritage Destination and Middle East’s Leading Cultural Destination, while Riyadh was named Middle East’s Leading City Destination. Ajman collected Middle East’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination, and Sharjah’s Mleiha National Park was recognised as Middle East’s Leading National Park.
The hospitality contest was equally robust. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental claimed Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel, while Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island secured Middle East’s Leading City Resort.
Among the newcomers, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, won Middle East’s Leading New Hotel, with InterContinental The Red Sea Resort in Saudi Arabia taking Middle East’s Leading New Resort.
Brand honours included Four Seasons, named Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand, while The Ascott Limited claimed Middle East’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand.
Aviation also had no shortage of familiar names.
Qatar Airways was crowned Middle East’s Leading Airline, Emirates secured Middle East’s Leading Airline – First Class, and Emirates Skywards won Middle East’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme.
Etihad Airways collected Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew and Middle East’s Leading Airline Economy Class, while flynas was named Middle East’s Leading Low-Cost Airline.
Graham Cooke, Founder of World Travel Awards, said: “Our winners represent the very best of the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector and I congratulate each of them. They are all playing starring roles in raising the collective benchmark of our industry to even greater heights.”
That benchmark is becoming increasingly difficult to reach.
Across the Gulf and wider Middle East, governments, airlines, hotel groups and tourism authorities continue to invest heavily in aviation, luxury accommodation, culture, major events and visitor infrastructure.
Awards do not fill aircraft or hotel rooms on their own, of course, but they provide valuable international validation in a market where reputation travels almost as quickly as the passengers.
The awards were presented at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2026, one of the regional stages on the organisation’s Grand Tour 2026.
The World Travel Awards Grand Tour is conducting a global search for the best travel and tourism organisations, with ceremonies also taking place in the Maldives, Zanzibar, Jamaica and Montenegro before the programme culminates in the Grand Final in Tanzania.
For travel advisors and industry partners, the message from Dubai was difficult to miss: the Middle East’s tourism race is accelerating, and nobody appears particularly interested in easing off the throttle.
Readers can find further information and the full list of winners through the World Travel Awards information link or directly through the official World Travel Awards website.
By: May Marclay – © 2026 on Location in Dubai
Read Time: 2 minutes.
Author Bio:
May Marclay’s career hasn’t followed a straight line, and she’s better for it. She began in real estate, then moved into hospitality, finding her rhythm with Centara in the Maldives. There, she worked the Asian markets the old-fashioned way: building trust, closing deals, and turning conversations into lasting business.
The UAE sharpened its focus. At IHG, supporting an Area General Manager, she saw the machinery of a major travel hub from the inside, no gloss, just how things actually get done.
Now, with her sights set on healthcare, May brings a broader lens than most. She speaks three languages, reads widely, travels with intent, and writes with the calm assurance of someone who understands both the detail and the bigger picture without needing to say so too loudly.
