Abu Dhabi shines at the World Travel Awards Middle East 2025 | News
Abu Dhabi celebrated a wave of major wins at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Middle East Winners Reception 2025, recently held in Dubai, cementing its position as a leading global tourism and business centre. The capital showcased its world-class attractions, luxury hospitality and strategic appeal by securing top regional awards.
Capital receives the highest honors
The emirate’s joint efforts to attract international companies and develop a diverse leisure offer were officially recognized:
Leading Business Travel Destination in the Middle East 2025: This prestigious award underlines Abu Dhabi’s status as a major commercial hub, prized for its modern infrastructure, excellent connectivity and capacity to host major conferences and events.
Leading Beach Destination in the Middle East 2025: The pristine shores of Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, achieved this title, highlighting the city’s success in developing luxury, sustainable beach tourism that attracts visitors from around the world.
Attraction and excellence of airlines
Individual attractions and the Abu Dhabi-based national airline have also won major awards, illustrating the depth of the tourism ecosystem:
Leading Adventure Tourism Attraction in the Middle East 2025: CLYMB Abu Dhabi took home this honor, recognizing its groundbreaking indoor adventure park with the world’s largest indoor skydiving escape chamber and the tallest indoor climbing wall.
The Middle East’s Top Cultural Tourist Attraction 2025: Qasr Al Watan received this award for its role in showcasing the UAE’s rich history, traditions and governance, becoming a landmark of cultural significance.
The Middle East’s premier theme park 2025: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi continued its run of successes and was named the region’s best theme park.
The Middle East’s premier water park 2025: Yas Waterworld, Abu Dhabi was recognized as the region’s best water park.
Middle East’s Leading Airline – Economy Class 2025 and Middle East’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment 2025 both went to Etihad Airways, reflecting the airline’s commitment to passenger comfort and flying experience.
A strong performance in hospitality
The capital’s luxury hotel sector featured prominently, with several properties and brands receiving coveted awards:
Leading All-Inclusive Resort in the Middle East 2025: Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, UAE, has secured this top resort award.
Leading airline lounge in the Middle East – Business Class 2025: Etihad Airways Premium Lounge @ Zayed International Airport won this important award for its business class offering.
In addition to the regional titles, several hotels and resorts in Abu Dhabi were named winners in the ‘Abu Dhabi’s Leading…’ categories at the country level, demonstrating exceptional quality across several segments, including:
Beach Resorts: Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort
Luxury resorts: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Business hotels: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Hotel: Bab Al Qasr Hotel
The World Travel Awards are determined by votes from industry professionals and consumers around the world. Abu Dhabi’s strong performance across all categories – from business travel and beach holidays to unique cultural and adventure attractions – reaffirms its strategic diversification and excellence in delivering world-class visitor experiences. These victories will further strengthen the emirate’s appeal to travelers and investors around the world, cementing the emirate’s position as an unmissable destination in the Middle East.
