UAE Travel Awards 2025
Celebrating excellence in the United Arab Emirates' travel, tourism, and hospitality industry
UAE's Travel Industry Overview
The United Arab Emirates stands as one of the world's most dynamic and fastest-growing tourism destinations, drawing more than 22 million international visitors annually to its two flagship cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The UAE has masterfully positioned itself as the crossroads of global travel, leveraging its world-class infrastructure, tax-free luxury shopping, and extraordinary hospitality to become a top-five global destination.
Dubai alone accounts for the majority of UAE tourism activity, consistently ranking among the world's most visited cities. The emirate's hospitality market is anchored by iconic landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab — widely regarded as the world's most luxurious hotel — as well as Atlantis The Palm, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and hundreds of five-star properties managed by global chains including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, and One&Only. Abu Dhabi complements this with cultural tourism centred on the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and a growing portfolio of Yas Island theme parks and luxury beach resorts.
The EXPO 2020 Dubai legacy has left an indelible mark, with the Expo City Dubai transformation continuing to attract business tourists and MICE events. Emirates airline, headquartered in Dubai, remains the world's largest international airline by passenger kilometres, connecting the UAE to over 150 destinations and serving as a primary gateway for global travellers. Flydubai and Etihad Airways further bolster the UAE's connectivity. Tourism contributes approximately 15% of GDP, with the government's Tourism Vision 2031 targeting 40 million visitors per year by the end of the decade through strategic investments in entertainment, sports, and cultural infrastructure.
The UAE travel industry encompasses luxury desert safaris, Michelin-starred dining, world-class spas, marine tourism, and an unrivalled events calendar including the Dubai World Cup, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and major international conferences. The country's status as a global hub for travel and hospitality makes it one of the most competitive markets for excellence awards worldwide.
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Award Categories for UAE
Eight prestigious award categories recognising outstanding performance across the UAE's world-leading travel and hospitality sector.
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Best Luxury Hotel — UAE
Recognising the finest five-star and ultra-luxury hotel experiences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
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Best Airline — UAE
Celebrating Emirates, Etihad, and Flydubai's excellence in passenger service and global connectivity.
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Best Desert Resort — UAE
Honouring extraordinary desert retreat experiences in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi desert landscape.
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Best Travel Agency — UAE
Celebrating the UAE's leading inbound and outbound travel agencies delivering world-class service.
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Best Spa & Wellness — UAE
Recognising outstanding wellness retreats, spa facilities, and holistic health experiences in the UAE.
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Best MICE Venue — UAE
Honouring the UAE's premier convention centres, conference hotels, and business event venues.
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Best Restaurant — UAE
Celebrating the UAE's extraordinary culinary landscape, from Michelin-starred dining to world-class cuisine.
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Best Tourism Board — UAE
Recognising Dubai Tourism and Abu Dhabi Tourism's outstanding destination promotion efforts globally.
Nominate →Key Destinations in UAE
From the iconic skyline of Dubai to the cultural grandeur of Abu Dhabi and the serene beauty of Ras Al Khaimah.
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Dubai
📍 Emirate of Dubai
The world's most visited city, home to Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa, and over 800 hotels. Dubai's record-breaking tourism of 17.15 million visitors in 2023 cements its status as the global capital of luxury travel and hospitality innovation.
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Abu Dhabi
📍 Capital Emirate
The UAE capital blends grandeur with culture. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island's entertainment complex, and pristine Saadiyat Island beach resorts make Abu Dhabi a world-class destination for cultural and leisure tourism.
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Ras Al Khaimah
📍 Northern Emirates
The fastest-growing emirate for tourism, Ras Al Khaimah offers dramatic Hajar Mountains, world-record zip-lining at Jebel Jais, pristine beaches, and a growing collection of luxury beach resorts attracting adventure seekers and nature lovers.
Benefits for UAE Travel Brands
Global Recognition
Winning or being nominated for the International Travel Awards places your UAE brand in front of a global audience of travel buyers, media, and consumers across 150+ countries. The prestige of the award signals world-class quality to international travellers choosing their next luxury destination.
Premium Media Coverage
Award recognition generates extensive media coverage across international travel publications, digital channels, and social media platforms. UAE winners benefit from editorial features in leading luxury travel magazines, online travel portals, and influential blogger networks covering the MENA region.
Increased Bookings & Revenue
Third-party validation through prestigious awards drives measurable booking uplifts. UAE hotels and travel brands that win industry recognition consistently report increased direct bookings, higher average daily rates, and improved occupancy as award status becomes a key decision factor for luxury travellers.
Industry Networking
The International Travel Awards connects UAE hospitality leaders with global counterparts at our prestigious awards ceremony. Forge partnerships with international tour operators, luxury travel agents, and tourism boards from across the Middle East and worldwide at this unmissable industry gathering.
How to Nominate — UAE Guide
Submitting your UAE travel brand for consideration is straightforward. Follow these four steps to be part of the world's most prestigious travel recognition programme.
Check Eligibility
Review the award categories to confirm your UAE hotel, airline, resort, travel agency, or tourism product qualifies for nomination in the 2025 programme.
Submit Nomination
Complete the online nomination form at goldentreeawards.com with detailed information about your UAE travel brand's achievements and guest experience standards.
Expert Judging
Your submission is evaluated by our panel of international travel industry experts, journalists, and luxury travel specialists who assess UAE nominations against global standards of excellence.
Celebrate at Ceremony
Winners are announced at our glittering annual awards ceremony in Dubai. Join the UAE's travel elite and global hospitality leaders for an unforgettable evening of recognition and celebration.
Who Can Participate in UAE Travel Awards?
The International Travel Awards is open to every organisation operating within the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector — from globally recognised hotel chains to innovative travel startups based in UAE. If you deliver excellence in travel or hospitality, you are eligible to nominate.
Luxury Hotels
Five-star and seven-star properties, palace hotels, and boutique luxury residences worldwide.
Resorts & Spas
Beach resorts, mountain retreats, wellness sanctuaries, and all-inclusive luxury resorts.
Airlines
International carriers, regional airlines, low-cost carriers, private aviation, and charter operators.
Cruise Lines
Ocean cruise lines, river cruise operators, expedition cruises, and luxury yacht charter companies.
Travel Agencies
Luxury travel agencies, bespoke holiday specialists, OTAs, and corporate travel management companies.
Tour Operators
Adventure tour operators, cultural tour companies, destination specialists, and group travel organisers.
Tourism Boards
National tourism organisations, city tourism bureaus, and destination marketing organisations globally.
DMCs
Destination management companies, inbound operators, MICE specialists, and local ground handlers.
Travel Technology
Travel tech startups, GDS platforms, booking engines, travel apps, and hospitality software companies.
Car Rental & Transport
Luxury car rental, chauffeur services, airport transfers, and premium ground transportation providers.
Yacht & Marine
Superyacht operators, sailing charter companies, diving resorts, and marine tourism specialists.
Eco & Sustainable Tourism
Eco-lodges, responsible tour operators, conservation-driven resorts, and sustainable destination pioneers.
Hear From Our Award-Winning Community
Travel and hospitality leaders share how International Travel Awards recognition transformed their brands, boosted revenue, and opened global opportunities.
How Winning Changed Our Business
Industry Leaders Share Their Experience
A Luxury Hotel's Awards Journey
How Awards Drive Business Growth
Relive the International Travel Awards Gala
Watch highlights from our prestigious gala ceremonies where the world's finest travel and hospitality brands are honoured for extraordinary excellence.
International Travel Awards Categories for UAE
From luxury accommodation and premium airlines to travel technology and sustainable tourism, the International Travel Awards covers every segment of the UAE travel and hospitality industry. Click any category to begin your nomination.
Four Prestigious Hospitality Awards Programmes
The International Travel Awards is part of a world-class suite of hospitality recognition programmes, each dedicated to celebrating a specific dimension of excellence within the global travel and hospitality industry.
International Travel Awards
The world's most prestigious recognition programme for excellence in global travel and hospitality — celebrating 150+ countries and 60+ award categories across every sector of the industry.
Learn More →International Spa Awards
Recognising the world's finest spa experiences, wellness retreats, and luxury health destinations — from urban day spas to remote wellness sanctuaries and award-winning resort spa facilities.
Learn More →World GM Awards
Celebrating exceptional General Managers who lead with vision, inspire their teams, and deliver outstanding guest experiences that set new global benchmarks in hotel and resort management.
Learn More →International Restaurant Awards
Honouring culinary excellence across global fine dining, hotel restaurants, destination dining experiences, and innovative food concepts that elevate the art of hospitality.
Learn More →UAE Travel Awards — FAQ
Join UAE's Award-Winning Travel Brands
The UAE sets the global benchmark for luxury travel and hospitality. Secure your brand's place in history by nominating for the International Travel Awards 2026.
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