TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
The UAE’s coveted Arabian Travel Awards will debut in Saudi Arabia on 10 December 2025. It is the perfect platform to recognise individuals and companies making Saudi Arabia a tourism powerhouse.
Dr Shehara Rizly Fernando
Known as the ‘Oscars of the industry’, the Arabian Travel Awards started in the UAE in 2017. After eight years of success, and requests from the avid readers of TravTalk, this year they make their debut in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Arabian Travel Awards are DDP Group’s first-ever international initiative to celebrate the best talent from the tourism and hospitality industries in the Middle East.
The awards follow a unique system of jury judgement and internet voting to give out fair and unbiased results. SanJeet, Mentor, Arabian Travel Awards, and CEO, DDP Group, says this award is an honour bestowed on the visionaries, innovators, and leaders who have significantly contributed to the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. “With the Arabian Travel Awards, we aim at identifying and encouraging talent of all kinds in the tourism sector. Owing to these stars, the graph of the Middle East tourism industry has touched remarkable heights. It is our pleasure to honour them for their achievements.”
He added, “This initiative will help encourage more talent to develop and take this vibrant industry to a much higher level. We celebrate excellence, recognise achievements, and look forward to the continued growth and success of our industry. The DDP Group, a titan in the B2B media landscape, has been the heartbeat of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry in the Middle East. With TravTalk as our flagship publication, we have been pushing boundaries, fostering innovation, and inspiring growth within the industry while strengthening ties in the Middle East and have set a new benchmark for collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the industry.” The Arabian Travel Awards are divided into four categories: Personal Awards — For the legends and leaders of today and tomorrow. These are industry stalwarts as well as rising stars ready to shape the future. Business Awards — Recognising organisations that set high benchmarks and consistently exceed expectations in their fields. Trending Awards — Chosen by critics, these are for individuals who have achieved something extraordinary. Partner Awards — For those, who have contributed towards making this event a success. The awards process begins with online nominations, which prompt everyone to reflect on what makes them stand out. This is followed by an online voting process. Then comes the final decision from the jury. The personal awards are further divided into four categories: Gallery of Legends, DDP Gamechanger, DDP Trailblazer and Face of the Future.
