Forbes Middle East has announced its list of the most powerful travel and tourism leaders for 2026, featuring 100 figures who run the Middle East's largest airlines, airports, hotel groups, destinations and travel services, across the public and private sectors.
Egyptian tourism investor Kamel Abou Ali, chairman of Pickalbatros Hotels & Resorts, was chosen among the most prominent tourism and hospitality leaders on the list, in recognition of his contribution to the growth of hotel investment across Egypt's tourist cities, as well as in Morocco, over more than 34 years, helping to create jobs, and for his role in developing the skills of hospitality workers by establishing specialized hotel training institutions with international standards.
The UAE tops the list with 56 entries, followed by Saudi Arabia with 18 and Egypt with 8. The hotels and resorts sector leads the list with 50 entries, half of the names included, followed by the public sector with 14, aviation with 11 and airports with 7, according to the Forbes Middle East website.
