Qatar
Qatar Tourism Awards winners set sights on new milestones after Ghabga celebration
Past winners of the Qatar Tourism Awards hailed their victories as transformative milestones, pledging to build on their success as the sector continues to grow rapidly and expand globally. Award-winning tourism leaders have described their Qatar Tourism Awards triumphs as defining moments that propelled growth, visibility and renewed ambition, as alumni gathered at the recent Ghabga celebration.
Famous Aluya, CEO of Oryx Group Events and Tourism and winner of the Cultural Excellence Experience in the first edition, said the recognition was both fulfilling and motivating. "For us, it was a fulfilling moment because we were just genuinely contributing our own quota to the Qatar tourism sector,” he said, noting that his company focuses on projecting Qatar into African markets and attracting African visitors to the country.
"We were very excited to see that our little efforts were being recognised,” Aluya noted, adding that the award "became a propeller for us that gave us the energy to do more”. Highlighting Qatar’s broader trajectory, he said the country’s tourism growth reflects "so much intentionality” from the leadership, infrastructure development and support for SMEs.
Bilal Dridi, head of Marketing, Communication and PR at Assets Hospitality overseeing Embassy Suites by Hilton Doha Old Town, said winning Outstanding Four-Star Hotel for Service Excellence in 2024 and 2025 was "a mesmerising experience”. "When you hear your property name, you will definitely see the reflection of the hard work, the dedication and all the commitment that the teams made,” he said.
Describing the award as a yearly benchmark, Dridi said: "Qatar Tourism Award is now one of the milestones that we set every year.” He confirmed plans to apply in additional categories, aligning with Qatar’s hospitality ambitions under Vision 2030.
Meanwhile, Ammar Samad, general manager of Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som and winner of Hotelier of the Year, said the accolade brought vital visibility to Qatar’s wellness sector. "This award is amazing because it creates visibility on the importance of well-being of the mind, the body, and the spirit,” he said. As the first wellness resort in Qatar and the Middle East, Zulal has seen growing international demand, particularly from the UK and German-speaking markets.
With applications for the next edition expected to open soon, winners say the awards continue to inspire excellence and raise the bar across Qatar’s thriving tourism landscape.