Photos: UAE travel and tourism industry leaders top Forbes list

Travel and tourism industry leaders from the UAE have ranked high in a new regional list. The ‘Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders 2023’, by Forbes Middle East, comes in the wake of the key role the sector is playing in the region’s economic growth and development.

According to a UNWTO report, the tourism sector globally recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with the Middle East recovering 83% of its pre-pandemic visitor numbers.

The list features leaders from over 33 nationalities, with Emiratis leading with 16 entries, followed by 12 Saudis, and 10 British nationals. Below are the top 10 entries:

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum | Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group | Nationality: Emirati

Akbar Al Baker | Group CEO, Qatar Airways Group | Nationality: Qatari

Helal Saeed Almarri | Director General, Department of Economy and Tourism – Dubai | Nationality: Emirati

Paul Griffiths | CEO, Dubai Airports | Nationality: British

Fahd Hamidaddin | CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) | Nationality: Saudi

Mohammed Almaghlouth | CEO, MATARAT Holding (airport operator in Saudi Arabia) | Nationality: Saudi

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry | Director General - Tourism Sector, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) | Nationality: Emirati

Jerry Inzerillo | Group CEO, The Diriyah Company | Nationality: American

Hesham Al Qassim | CEO, wasl Asset Management Group | Nationality: Emirati

Ibrahim Koshy | CEO, SAUDIA | Nationality: Saudi