Abu Dhabi Introduces Visitor Experience Awards for Tourism Excellence

Aug 18, 2026

74 min

Aug 18, 2026 07:30

Abu Dhabi launches Visitor Experience Awards to recognise tourism excellence

## New Awards Initiative

Abu Dhabi has unveiled its inaugural Visitor Experience Awards, an initiative by the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) to honor excellence in tourism and service innovation. This program aims to recognize organizations and individuals who provide exceptional visitor experiences across the emirate.

## Participation and Categories

Over 400 tourism and cultural organizations have been invited to participate in the awards, which will be held annually. The awards are divided into two main streams: Business Awards and Frontliner Awards. The Business Awards will acknowledge organizations excelling in visitor experience, while the Frontliner Awards will celebrate employees who directly engage with visitors.

## Judging and Recognition

A total of 24 winners will be selected by an independent panel of experts from both public and private sectors. The panel will assess submissions based on criteria such as innovation, accessibility, and service excellence. Winners will be announced at a gala event later this year.

## Enhancing Abu Dhabi's Tourism

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized the importance of visitor experience in shaping perceptions of a destination. The awards are part of a broader Visitor Experience program, which includes guidelines and a VX Academy to support continuous improvement in the tourism sector.

## Aiming for Global Recognition

By fostering a culture of service excellence, Abu Dhabi aims to strengthen its position as a leading global tourism destination, ensuring visitors have memorable experiences from start to finish.

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