The Middle East region’s leading multi-platform content producer, Motivate Media Group, has revealed the winners of the 2022 Business Traveller Middle East Awards at a high-profile gala ceremony staged at Conrad Dubai Hotel last night (May 9).

Staged live for the first time since 2019, the renowned BTME Awards, organised by Motivate publication Business Traveller Middle East, honoured leaders in business travel and tourism, with brands recognised more than once across the 41 hotly contested categories including Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Dubai International Airport, Rotana and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

New for 2022, a special Lifetime Achievement Award was also granted to Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman and Co-Founder of Rotana Hotel Management, acknowledging the pivotal role he has played in the development of the region’s hospitality sector since the UAE-headquartered hotel group was founded three decades ago.

The coveted awards ceremony welcomed more than 200 guests, comprising a high-profile crowd of industry heavyweights, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), C-Suite executives and key decision makers spanning the hotel, aviation, tourism and transportation. It celebrated the companies at the forefront of business travel and services, as well as the hard work of top-level industry executives

Emirates Airline was recognised with two high-profile awards, crowned ‘Best Airline in the World’, and ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’, while its hub, Dubai International Airport (DXB), took home three gongs – ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’, ‘Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping’, and ‘Best Airport in the World’. In addition, Emirates Skywards scooped ‘Best Frequent Flyer Programme’.

Fellow UAE carrier Etihad Airways was recognised with two accolades – ‘Airline with the Best Cabin Crew’ and ‘Airline with the Best First Class’ – while flydubai bagged ‘Best Low-Cost Airline Serving the Middle East’ and Qatar Airways took home two awards, ‘Airline with the Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East’.

Hotels and hospitality brands across some 22 categories were recognised at the BTME Awards 2022, with headline grabbers including Rotana being crowned ‘Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East’ and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts scooping ‘Best Hotel Brand in the World’. Rove Hotels picked up

‘Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East’, Marriott Bonvoy won ‘Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East’, and The Ascott Limited received ‘Best Serviced Apartment Brand in the Middle East’ gong.

Leisure and lifestyle categories, many of which were new for 2022 included ‘Best Credit or Payment Card for Business Travel (Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card; ‘Best Golf Club in the Middle East’ (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club); ‘Best Leisure Hotel in the UAE’ (The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah’); Best Luggage Brand for Business Travel: Rimowa; ‘Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the Middle East’ (Address Hotels & Resorts); ‘Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the UAE’ (Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts); and ‘Best Mobile Travel Application’ (Expedia). A full list of winners, including those crowned Best Business Hotel in cities across the Middle East region, is featured below

“The Business Traveller Middle East Awards recognise the best in travel and this year is no exception, with regional and global brands acknowledged for their commitment to product and service excellence,” said Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief at Motivate Media Group.

“What is even more impressive is their resilience during the pandemic, with all winners, as well as shortlisted candidates not only surviving the last few years, during a period of unparalleled disruption, but excelling, through hard work, innovation, expertise and robust strategies for long-term growth and development. I applaud all award nominees and also welcome the opportunity for the industry to come together in person once again to celebrate the travel and tourism industry’s achievements, together.”

Fairservice added: “Special recognition must also go to Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman and Co-Founder of Rotana Hotel Management, the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging his outstanding contribution to the hotel sector over the past 30 years, during which time, Rotana has grown to become a leading global hospitality brand. It’s companies like Rotana that have put the UAE on the map as a destination of distinction and I congratulate Nasser for his services to the sector and the nation.”

The Business Traveller Middle East Awards programme is based on votes cast online by the valued readers of Business Traveller Middle East (BTME).

Full awards coverage, including photos of all the winners, will feature in the June issue of BTME.

The full list of winners is below:

 Lifetime Achievement Award: Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman and Co-Founder of Rotana Hotel Management

 Airlines

 Airline with the Best Cabin Crew: Etihad Airways

Best Asian Airline Serving the Middle East: Singapore Airlines

Best European Airline Serving the Middle East: Turkish Airlines 

Airline with the Best First Class: Etihad Airways 

Airline with the Best Business Class: Qatar Airways

 Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class: Emirates 

Airline with the Best Economy Class: Emirates 

Best Low-Cost Airline Serving the Middle East: flydubai 

Best Frequent Flyer Programme: Emirates Skywards

 Best Airline in the World: Emirates

Airports 

Best Airport in the Middle East: Dubai International Airport 

Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East: Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge, Hamad International 

Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping: Dubai International Airport 

Best Airport in the World: Dubai International Airport 

Lifestyle and Leisure

Best Golf Club in the Middle East: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Best Luggage Brand for Business Travel: Rimowa

Best Credit or Payment Card for Business Travel: Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card

Best Mobile Travel Application: Expedia

Hotels

Best Business Hotel in Egypt: InterContinental Citystars Cairo | Highly commended: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza

 Best Business Hotel in Israel: InterContinental David Tel Aviv | Highly commended: Hilton Tel Aviv Hotel

 Best Business Hotel in Lebanon: Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun | Highly commended: Gefinor Rotana

Best Business Hotel in Jordan: Amman Rotana | Highly commended: Four Seasons Hotel Amman

 Best Business Hotel in Kuwait: Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya | Highly commended: Hyatt Regency Al Kout Mall

Best Business Hotel in Bahrain: Downtown Rotana | Highly commended: The Merchant House

 Best Business Hotel in Oman: Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel | Highly commended: Hormuz Grand Hotel Muscat, A Radisson Collection Hotel

 Best Business Hotel in Qatar: Hilton Doha The Pearl Hotel & Residences | Highly commended: Mondrian Doha

 Best Business Hotel in Riyadh: Voco Riyadh | Highly commended: Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Financial District

 Best Business Hotel in Jeddah: Shangri-La Jeddah | Highly commended: Rosewood Jeddah Hotel

 Best Business Hotel in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates: Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa | Highly commended: The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah

 Best Business Hotel in Abu Dhabi: The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa | Highly commended: W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

 Best Business Hotel in Dubai: Sofitel Dubai Downtown | Highly commended: Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre & JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

 Best Leisure Hotel in the UAE: The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah

Best Airport Hotel in the Middle East: Dubai International Hotel

Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East: Marriott Bonvoy

Hotel Brands

 Best Lifestyle & Leisure Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Rixos Hotels

 Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the UAE: Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts

Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Address Hotels & Resorts

 Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Rove Hotels

Best Serviced Apartment Brand in the Middle East: The Ascott

 Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Rotana Hotels & Resorts

 Best Hotel Brand in the World: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts