Al-Rihl; Launches Second Edition of Al Rihla Golden Awards 2026
Bringing together leading Tourism figures During Arabian Travel Market 2026.
Dubai(News Desk)::Al-Rihla has announced the launch of the second edition of the;Al Rihla Golden Awards 2026, set to take place on September 14, with the presence of an elite group of leaders, decision-makers, and influential figures from the travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation,entertainment, media, and culture sectors.
The ceremony will be held at the Arjaan by Rotana Hotel – Skylight Ballroom, coinciding with the
opening of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai.The second edition builds on the success of the inaugural event, driven by a vision to establish a specialized platform that celebrates destinations, organizations, and individuals who have made a tangible impact on the tourism industry, contributed to enhancing traveler experiences, and strengthened destination competitiveness.
Al Rihla Golden Awards 2026 features a diverse range of categories covering various sectors,including the “Golden Flag Award” – the flagship and highest honor of the awards – alongside the Golden Destination Award, as well as the “World Compass”,”City Puls” Hospitality Makers””Hospitality Crown”,”Business Address”,World Sanctuary”,”Sky Bridge”,”Voice of Travel”,”Tourism Impact Leader”,”Entertainment Throne”, and “New Hospitality Legacy”
The awards philosophy is built on measuring the real impact of nominees, with a focus on
leadership, innovation, quality of experience, sustainability, and international presence – beyond
brand size or recognition alone. Long-term impact and the legacy left by individuals, organizations,
and initiatives are considered among the most prominent evaluation criteria.
Dr. Saleh Al-Makhdoom, The General Manager of Al-Rihla, stated: “Al Rihla Golden Awards” represent an extension of the newspapers vision to build genuine bridges between different tourism
markets. Through our offices and international network, we work to identify experiences and stories
worthy of reaching Arab and global audiences. Therefore, the value of these awards lies not only in
the moment of recognition but in shedding light on models and experiences capable of making a real
impact on the future of the tourism industry.He added:The second edition carries greater responsibility for us, especially with the expanding participation and international attendance. We aspire for Al Rihla Golden Awards to become a platform that brings together leaders, destinations, and organizations under one roof, granting recognition to those who create genuine value to the sector, create new experiences, and leave a legacy whose impact extends beyond a season, an event, or a promotional campaign.
Mahmoud Al-Jashi, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Rihla, commented: When we launched the Al Rihla
Golden Awards , our goal was not merely to add another awards ceremony to the tourism sectors
agenda. Rather, we wanted to build an Arab platform that honours those who create a tangible
impact in this industry. Tourism today is no longer just visitor numbers or new projects; it has
become an integrated industry built on vision, culture, innovation, and the human experience.
Al-Jashi added: In the second edition, we are going a step further – in the diversity of awards, the
caliber of nominations, and the attendance. We want Al Rihla Golden Awards to become an annual gathering where leaders, destinations, and organizations that genuinely contribute to shaping the
future of tourism in the region and the world come together. Our primary criterion is not who is the biggest, but who has made a difference worth telling and honouring.
The Golden Flag Award; carries particular significance as the highest distinction, presented to individuals, organizations, and initiatives that have achieved exceptional impact beyond their direct scope of activity and contributed to enhancing tourism, culture, and cross-cultural exchange.
Meanwhile, the Golden Destination Award recognizes destinations that offer an integrated model
combining identity, quality of experience, infrastructure, marketing, sustainability, and international
presence.
The awards are part of Al Rihla’s broader vision to expand the role of Arab tourism media beyond
covering industry news to highlighting success stories and the people behind them, while creating
greater opportunities for communication and engagement among tourism organizations, entities,
and leaders.
Al-Rihla is headquartered in the UAE and operates through a network of eight international offices. The newspaper recently received the Most Influential Travel & Tourism Newspaper in the Middle
East award from the African-Asian Union for Tourism.
The September 14 ceremony is expected to reveal the winners across all categories, with the evening culminating in the announcement of the two main award recipients: the Golden Destination Award and the Golden Flag Award.
