From left: Qatar Airways Group CEO HE Akbar Al Baker , Katara Hospitality CEO Nasser Matar Al Kawari and Hamad International Airport COO Badr Mohammed Al Meer
Doha: Qatar Airways Group CEO HE Akbar Al Baker is ranked second among the Middle East's Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders for the year 2023. The annual ranking that was revealed yesterday by Forbes Middle East names three Qataris in its list.
The individuals based in the Middle East were chosen on the basis of the sizes of their businesses, ownership of assets, business leader's experience and their degree of influence.
While Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker booked the second spot among the leaders, Katara Hospitality CEO Nasser Matar Al Kawari who joined the group in January 2023 was ranked as the 22nd leader. Hamad International Airport COO Badr Mohammed Al Meer was the third Qatari listed at the 31st spot.
"The region is also becoming an important sporting destination, with the Formula One Grand Prix hosted by Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The U.A.E. also hosts UFC events, and in 2022 Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup and in 2027 will bring the FIBA Basketball World Cup to the Middle East for the first time," added the Forbes Middle East in its statement.
In the 2023 list of the most influential leaders in the region’s travel and tourism industry, hospitality companies and hotels and resorts dominate with 59 entries, followed by aviation (airlines and airports) with 31 entries.
