Business Traveller Middle East crowns the winners of 2022

The winners of the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2022 were revealed last night, May 9 at a high-profile gala ceremony staged at Conrad Dubai Hotel.

Taking place live the first time since 2019, the renowned BTME Awards 2022 – celebrating its 21st edition – were hosted by Motivate Media Group. The Awards honoured leaders in business travel and tourism, with several brands winning multiple awards across the 41 contested categories. Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Dubai International Airport, Rotana and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts were among the brands that won a few of the top awards.

New for 2022, and marking the event’s 21st edition, a special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Nasser Al Nowais, chairman and co-founder of Rotana, 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 around 250 guests, comprising a high-profile crowd of industry heavyweights and key decision makers spanning the hotel, aviation, tourism and transportation sectors. It celebrated the companies at the forefront of business travel and services, as well as the hard work of top-level industry executives.

Emirates 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’, while 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 at the end of this press release.

“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 of 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 the 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.”

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

The Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2022 winners
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 and Leisure Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Rixos Hotels
Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the UAE: Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Rotana Hotels & Resorts
Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Rove Hotels
Best Serviced Apartment Brand in the Middle East: The Ascott
Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Address Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Brand in the World: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts