Qatar Airways was named "Middle East's Leading Airline" at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2026, held at One&Only One Za'abeel in Dubai on September 13, as the region's top tourism and hospitality brands were honoured before an audience of industry leaders.

Dubai was named "Middle East's Leading Destination," while Abu Dhabi took the title of "Middle East's Leading Business Travel Destination." Saadiyat Island was voted "Middle East's Leading Beach Destination." Saudi Arabia won "Middle East's Leading Heritage Destination" and "Middle East's Leading Cultural Destination," with its capital, Riyadh, declared "Middle East's Leading City Destination." Ajman received the "Middle East's Leading Emerging Tourism Destination" award, and Sharjah's Mleiha National Park, known for its geological formations and desert terrain, was named "Middle East's Leading National Park."

In the hospitality category, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental was named "Middle East's Leading Luxury Hotel," while Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island won "Middle East's Leading City Resort." Among newer properties, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, was voted "Middle East's Leading New Hotel," and InterContinental The Red Sea Resort in Saudi Arabia won "Middle East's Leading New Resort." Four Seasons was recognised as "Middle East's Leading Luxury Hotel Brand," and The Ascott Limited won "Middle East's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand."

In aviation, Emirates won "Middle East's Leading Airline – First Class," and its Skywards loyalty programme was named "Middle East's Leading Airline Rewards Programme." Etihad Airways won two titles, "Middle East's Leading Cabin Crew" and "Middle East's Leading Airline – Economy Class." Saudi budget carrier flynas was named "Middle East's Leading Low-Cost Airline."

Graham Cooke, founder of World Travel Awards, praised the winners in a statement, saying they represent the best of the region's travel and tourism sector and are helping to raise standards across the industry as a whole.

The Dubai ceremony forms part of World Travel Awards' Grand Tour 2026, a global series of regional galas that also includes stops in the Maldives, Zanzibar, Jamaica, and Montenegro, ahead of a Grand Final in Tanzania.

World Travel Awards was founded in 1993 to recognise excellence across the tourism industry. A full list of winners is available on the organisation's official website.

Source: PR