Forbes Middle East has revealed its list of the strongest leaders in tourism and travel in the region for 2025, including 101 key figures managing leading projects in hospitality, tourist destinations, hotel chains, airports, airlines, travel services, and innovative tourism initiatives. Forbes Middle East stated that the tourism and travel sector in the Middle East continues to establish its position among the most dynamic global destinations, driven by record investments and ambitious government visions. The leaders listed represent 10 countries from the Middle East and North Africa region. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, topped the ranking for the fourth consecutive year. Forbes Middle East noted that Emirates Group revenues rose by 6% during the fiscal year 2024/2025 to reach $39.6 billion, while its asset value reached $49.7 billion.

The second place went to Fahd Humaid Al-Din, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, followed by Bader Mohammed Al Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways Group, in third place. The UAE led the ranking with 49 leaders residing in the country, followed by Saudi Arabia with 24 leaders, Egypt with seven, Oman with five, Jordan and Morocco with four each, Qatar and Bahrain with three each, and Kuwait and Tunisia with one each, represented by Kuwait Airways and the Tunisian National Tourism Office respectively. Regarding nationalities, the list includes 15 Emiratis, 14 Saudis, and nine British nationals, making these three the largest groups in the list.

The top 10 strongest tourism and travel leaders in the Middle East for 2025 included Saleh Mohammed Al Jazairi, Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, in fourth place; Hisham Al Qasim, CEO of Wasl Asset Management Group, in seventh; Hamid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of ADNIC Group, in eighth; Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral Group, in ninth; and Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, in tenth. Forbes Middle East prepared the ranking after evaluating leaders from the public and private sectors based on the size of their companies’ businesses, including revenues, asset values, number of hotels and rooms, visitor numbers, as well as their professional experience, achievements, and overall impact on the tourism scene in the region. The ranking includes leaders residing in the Middle East and North Africa region.