Forbes Middle East unveils the region’s top travel & tourism leaders

Forbes Middle East unveils the region’s top travel & tourism leaders

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- 48% (24) of the listees are based in the UAE, with 11 in Saudi, and four in Egypt.

- The most populated sector is hotels and hospitality, with 26 entries.

- Heads of the Emirates Group, Qatar Airways, and Dubai Airports make up the top three.

Dubai, UAE: Forbes Middle East has revealed its inaugural ranking of the region's Top 50 Travel and Tourism Leaders, recognizing the industry heavyweights driving growth and creating opportunities for visitors and passengers to reconnect with the world.

Among the top five executives, four serve in the aviation sector, led by Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group, who tops the ranking. Emirates recorded revenues of $6.7 billion in the first half of the 2021/22 financial year. Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO and Executive Board Member of Qatar Airways, and Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, complete the top three.

The leaders featured on this list represent nine countries in the region. The UAE reigns as the top country for regional headquarters, with 24 of the 50 executives based in the emirates. Saudi comes in second with 11 featured executives, followed by four from Egypt. Hotels and hospitality is the most represented sector with