@menatravelaward TOP UAE Tourism Officials at “MENA Award in May 2014”

The 10th Anniversary Most prestigious ceremony and Glamor evening While Celebrating ALL of the UAE Tourism Authorties Success

The much-awaited ceremony is back celebrating its 10th Anniversary in UAE; - conveyed a special tribute to the race of the top 2013 performances of the UAE Tourism Authorities
The prestigious MENA Travel Award Gala Night took place on Wednesday, May 7th, 2014 during the last evening of the 2014 Arabian Travel Market, at The Conrad Dubai Hotel, United Arab Emirates.
The Award program is organized by “CHA International” the Hospitality Consultancy Group; under the guidance of Dr. Sam Saker, President and Chief Executive Officer.
This extravagant ceremony has become an annual tradition since its inception back in 2004; honoring the top performers of the Middle East and North Africa travel industry at the cosmopolitan metropolis of Dubai that has grown steadily to become a global city, a business and cultural hub of the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region.
“This year the event has been a superior one and successful, it is the best in the 10 years history of the ceremony. The Event has been gaining more momentum year after year and for that same reason in 2013 a year before its 10th anniversary the UAE National Council of Tourism & Antiquities has honored us by becoming the 2013 MENA Award official sponsor; such is to acknowledge and appreciate the awards and its recipients of the Region’s travel industry.” Commented Dr. Sam Saker, President and Chief Executive Officer CHA International - Hospitality Consultancy Group. Prior to UAE NCTA official sponsorship. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development officially sponsored the event in 2008 and by H.H. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Alowais. This year HH Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi opened the official ceremony cut the ribbon.
To add to its thrust this year, MENA Travel Award organizing committee conveyed a special tribute to the top Three Tourism Authorities in the UAE. The Platinum, Gold and Silver Awards were awarded to the most successful authorities (3 out of 7) based on criteria’s like: the highest ratio increase of visitors in 2013 over 2012 plus 2013, achievement / accomplishments for the Emirate during 2013, and the number of electronic votes received. Ras Al Khaima received Silver, Sharjah Received the Gold Award and both Dubai & Abu Dhabi received the Platinum Award.
Guest Speaker was Mr. Rudi Jagersbacher President – Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide while the guest of honor was Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi
Dr Sam Saker pointed that the support of this year award aiming to create a competitive edge for all of the different award categories while providing the highest level of service, which exceeds the guests expectations.
He added that the timing of this great event comes parallel with the ATM 2014 the most prestigious industry event in the MENA Region. He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all partners and his teams for their genuine effort to produce and drive such annual event for the MENA region’s hospitality industry.
Mr.  Andreas Jersabeck, GM Conrad Dubai, stated that his hotel’s participation this year took place via their team’s vision of implementing the highest possible level of service and standards which the will continue enhancing on a daily basis, while making their guests’ comments and feedbacks their highest priority.
Dr. Sam added that the number of participants this year has exceeded 1200 enrollments of for best hotels in the region, best golf clubs, best fine dining restaurants, best health clubs, best SPA’s, best car rentals company; not to mention the two newest additions and equally important categories of the best Tourism Project as well as the best Governmental Authority support to tourism Sector. The top “Life Achievement” Award was announce to add admiration to the special Ceremony night – received by HE Mr. Mohamed Al Noman, Chairman of Sharjah Tourism Authority.
Dr. Sam, also, pointed that the number of votes received this year from the hotel guests / end users exceeded 170,000 voters of the industry’s end users, guests and clients (adding up to over 510,000 votes including the 1st , 2nd and 3rd choice selections for all of the nineteen Categories).
He also highlighted that this voting system was reviewed and audited during and after the voting dead line to insure its integrity. Furthermore, few hotels have been excluded for their lack to meet the rigid criteria that was described on the award’s website www.menatravelawards.com.

 “What makes these awards so important is that they cover all key travel and hospitality industry sectors” explained Dr. Saker. “It also acknowledges the tremendous breadth the whole industry offers today and its continued aims towards excellence of both Service and product quality in the Region.”