Nominations Open 2026 · Annual Gala 14 November 2026, Dubai. Nominate Now →

Regional Excellence · Arabian Region · Nominations Open 2026

Middle East Awards
Recognising the Middle East's Best

Recognising the leading organisations, brands, and personalities driving excellence across the Middle East — from the Gulf states to the Levant and the wider Arabian region.

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12+

Middle East Countries

10,000+

Nominations

2,000+

Categories

1,000+

Winners

Award Programmes for Middle East

Award Programmes You Can Enter

Organisations and leaders based in the Middle East can compete across these Golden Tree programmes. Most enter the flagship regional programme plus two or three global programmes to maximise recognition.

Arabian Best of Best Awards

Flagship regional programme for Middle East

Multi-industry, multi-level recognition across 12 Middle East countries. The default home for regional excellence.

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International Travel Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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International Restaurant Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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International Spa & Beauty Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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World CEO Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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World GM Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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Golden Entrepreneur Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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Golden Women Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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World Technology Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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World Real Estate Excellence Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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World Beauty Awards

Global programme open to Middle East organisations and leaders. Nominations welcome from any country in the region.

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From Past Galas

Recognition Captured

Moments from past Golden Tree Awards gala ceremonies in Dubai — winners, jury members, partners, and guests across our award programmes.

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Past gala moment

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About the Awards

What the Middle East Awards Recognise

The Middle East is one of the world's fastest-growing business regions, anchored by Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha — global hubs for finance, hospitality, real estate, technology, and tourism. The Arabian Best of Best Awards exist to give credit where the region's leadership has been quietly setting world benchmarks for the past two decades.

The flagship regional programme for Middle East is the Arabian Best of Best Awards — Golden Tree's dedicated platform for honouring the leading organisations, brands, and personalities across the region. Companies operating in Middle East can also compete in the global Golden Tree programmes covering hospitality, business, technology, and individual leadership.

Eligible organisations are evaluated by an independent jury of industry chiefs against published criteria covering performance, innovation, customer impact, talent and culture, sustainability, and brand vision. The Middle East operates at a scale and speed unmatched elsewhere — sovereign-backed mega-projects, world-leading airline networks, the planet's most ambitious tourism developments, and a rapidly diversifying private sector. Regional recognition here travels globally.

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01

Regional Specificity

Categories are calibrated to the Middle East's market realities — not transplanted from elsewhere.

02

Merit-Based Evaluation

Every nominee is judged on objective criteria by an independent expert panel.

04

Year-Round Value

Winners benefit from PR coverage, networking access, and licensed logo usage all year.

The Flagship Programme

Arabian Best of Best Awards

The dedicated regional programme for Middle East — recognising excellence across all major industries and competition levels.

12 countries represented across the Middle East
26 industries covered with sector-specific categories
City, country & regional competition levels
Independent jury drawn from industry chiefs across the region

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Geographic Coverage

12 Countries Across Middle East

The Middle East Awards accept nominations from organisations based in or operating across the following 12 Middle East markets.

United Arab EmiratesSaudi ArabiaQatarKuwaitBahrainOmanEgyptJordanLebanonIraqYemenPalestine

Key Business Hubs

Most Middle East winners operate from or have strong presence in these hub cities — though regional-level competition is open to organisations from any market in the region.

DubaiAbu DhabiRiyadhDohaKuwait CityManamaMuscatCairoAmmanBeirut

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Golden Tree Awards gala ceremony

Nominations Open · 2025 / 2026

Ready to be recognized globally?

Join over 10,000 nominees from 100+ countries honoured at the Golden Tree Awards. Our independent, merit-based process ensures every winner truly deserves the recognition.

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Annual Gala · Dubai · November 2026

Your moment on the global stage.

Winners are celebrated at an exclusive black-tie gala in Dubai attended by industry chiefs, ministers, and international media. Don't miss the deadline — submit your nomination today.

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Golden Tree Awards Dubai gala

Industries Covered

Excellence Across Every Sector

Middle East nominees compete across 26 industries spanning hospitality, business, technology, manufacturing, services, and creative sectors. Explore your industry to see relevant categories and award programmes.

Hotels & Resorts

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Restaurants & F&B

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Spa & Wellness

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Technology

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Real Estate

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Beauty & Cosmetics

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Finance

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Startups

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Travel & Tourism

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Aviation

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Healthcare

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Education

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Compete in the Middle East's Most Trusted Awards

The 2026 nomination window is open. Don't wait — early submissions get more visibility in the pre-gala media cycle.

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Regional Outlook

Why Middle East Recognition Matters Now

The Middle East is one of the most consequential regions in the global economy today. The Middle East operates at a scale and speed unmatched elsewhere — sovereign-backed mega-projects, world-leading airline networks, the planet's most ambitious tourism developments, and a rapidly diversifying private sector. Regional recognition here travels globally. Organisations operating here are increasingly competing against world-class peers — not just regional ones — and the standard for credible regional recognition has risen accordingly.

The Middle East Awards are designed for this moment. We score nominees against a multi-dimensional rubric and give winners a third-party narrative they can deploy in pitches, fundraising decks, hiring ads, and PR campaigns across both regional and global markets.

Nominating is a small investment of time with disproportionate upside. Even reaching the shortlist generates measurable brand lift, search-traffic gains, and stakeholder confidence. Winning compounds those benefits across the full year that follows.

87%of winning companies report measurable PR lift within 60 days

3.2×average increase in inbound enquiries after the gala

74%of buyers say regional awards influence vendor shortlists

92%of past winners renominate the following year

Why Participate

Twelve Strategic Reasons to Compete

01

Regional Recognition

Earn a regional endorsement of excellence judged on objective merit, not popularity.

02

PR & Media Exposure

Press releases, trade-press features, and social spotlights amplify your brand to millions.

03

Brand Credibility

The winner badge instantly elevates trust signals on your website, decks, and ads.

04

Marketing Advantage

Display badges and trophies across digital and offline channels — a year-round trust asset.

05

Networking Opportunities

Connect with winners, investors, and industry chiefs at our Dubai gala and year-round meetups.

06

Talent Attraction

Award-winning employers attract higher-calibre candidates and reduce hiring costs.

07

Sales Acceleration

Win rates on competitive pitches climb measurably for award-winning vendors.

08

Investor Confidence

Third-party endorsement strengthens fundraising decks and term-sheet conversations.

09

Team Morale

Public recognition energizes your team and reinforces the culture you've built.

10

Year-Round Logo Usage

License-cleared winner logo for unlimited use on collateral, packaging, and ads.

11

Featured on Website

Permanent profile in our winners directory — a high-authority backlink and brand showcase.

12

Cross-Border Reach

Regional judging means your win travels — opening export markets and partnerships.

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How We Judge

The Six-Pillar Evaluation Framework

Every Middle East nominee is scored across six pillars by an independent jury drawn from regional industry chiefs. Scores are weighted, normalised, and audited — winners are decided by the data, not by influence.

01

Performance

Commercial outcomes — revenue growth, market share, profitability, and operational KPIs benchmarked against regional peers.

02

Innovation

Originality of approach — new products, services, business models, or operational practices that move the Middle East forward.

03

Customer Impact

Demonstrable improvement in customer outcomes, NPS, retention, and verifiable testimonials.

04

Talent & Culture

Employee experience, diversity outcomes, leadership development, and retention practices.

05

Sustainability

Verifiable ESG progress — environmental footprint, community contribution, governance practices.

06

Brand & Vision

Strategic clarity, brand strength, and a credible roadmap for the next phase of growth.

The Path

How the Selection Works

01

Nomination

Submit your entry through our online platform with supporting documentation and case studies.

02

Review

Our research team validates every nomination for completeness, eligibility, and authenticity.

03

Jury Evaluation

An independent jury of industry leaders scores each nominee against published criteria.

04

Winner Selection

Top scorers are confirmed as winners; results are sealed until the gala ceremony.

05

Gala Ceremony

Winners are honored at our annual Dubai gala with global media presence and red-carpet coverage.

Winner Package

What Winners Receive

Winner Trophy

Hand-crafted crystal-and-gold trophy presented at the Dubai gala — a permanent legacy piece.

Winner Plaque

Wood-and-metal plaque for boardroom or reception display, signed by the chairperson.

Winner's Medal

Ribbon-mounted medal for individual recipients in leadership and personal-recognition awards.

Digital Certificate & Badge

High-resolution certificate and embeddable winner badge for digital communications.

Winner Logo Licence

Full commercial licence to use the winner mark on packaging, ads, and sales material.

Media Promotion

Coverage across our newsroom, social channels, and partner trade publications.

Website Listing

Permanent winner profile on the Golden Tree Awards directory — a high-authority backlink.

Gala Invitation

Reserved seating at the Dubai gala with optional partner and team attendance.

Networking Access

Year-round invitations to winner-only roundtables and partner-led industry events.

Important Dates

The 2026 Awards Calendar

Now Open

Nominations

Submit your nomination through the online portal. Multiple categories accepted per organisation.

Aug 2026

Nomination Deadline

Final cut-off for entries. We recommend submitting at least four weeks before deadline to ensure smooth processing.

Sep 2026

Jury Evaluation

Independent jury panel scores nominees against the six-pillar framework. Shortlists are confirmed.

Oct 2026

Shortlist Announced

Shortlisted nominees are publicly announced. Winners remain sealed until the gala.

Sat, 14 Nov 2026
5pm – 11pm

Dubai Gala

Winners are revealed live at the gala. Trophies, plaques, and global media coverage.

Nov 2026 →

Year-Round Promotion

Winners receive full marketing kit and inclusion in the annual book of winners.

The Gala

Westin Marina Hotel, Dubai
14 November 2026

An evening of recognition, networking, and celebration — with red carpet, cinematic AV, multi-course dining, live entertainment, and a global guest list of CEOs, founders, ministers, and creators.

Red Carpet Arrivals

Cinematic photography and press wall coverage as guests arrive at one of Dubai's iconic venues.

Stage & Ceremony

Trophy presentation by industry chiefs and host celebrities on a fully produced stage.

Networking Lounges

Curated lounges for category meet-and-greet, partner conversations, and deal-room moments.

Live Entertainment

International performers, cultural acts, and after-party DJ until late.

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Competition Levels

Four Levels of Recognition

Middle East brands can compete at four progressive levels — from city honours to regional and world-class crowns. Most organisations start at country level and progress upward.

Level 01

City Level

The best brands within a single Middle East city — ideal entry point for emerging brands.

Best Brand · Dubai

Level 02

Country Level

The leading brands in a single Middle East country — ideal for national champions and multi-city operators.

Best of United Arab Emirates

Level 03

Regional Level

Cross-border recognition across the Middle East region — the flagship competition level for the Arabian Best of Best Awards.

Arabian Best of Best Awards

Level 04

World Level

The world's best in the category — the highest honour bestowed by Golden Tree Awards.

World Best Brand

Editorial

The Middle East Awards — A Closer Look

A short briefing on the Middle East business landscape and how regional award recognition fits into a modern growth strategy.

The State of the Middle East

The Middle East is one of the world's fastest-growing business regions, anchored by Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha — global hubs for finance, hospitality, real estate, technology, and tourism. The Arabian Best of Best Awards exist to give credit where the region's leadership has been quietly setting world benchmarks for the past two decades.

Why Regional Awards Matter

The Middle East operates at a scale and speed unmatched elsewhere — sovereign-backed mega-projects, world-leading airline networks, the planet's most ambitious tourism developments, and a rapidly diversifying private sector. Regional recognition here travels globally. For organisations doing business in the region — whether headquartered locally or operating cross-border — regional recognition signals to local buyers, regulators, and talent that you compete and win at the Middle East standard. It also opens doors to regional partnership opportunities that global-only recognition rarely unlocks.

What the Arabian Best of Best Awards Measure

The Golden Tree Middle East programme exists to identify and recognise category-leading organisations across all major industries. The jury evaluates nominees across six pillars — performance, innovation, customer impact, talent and culture, sustainability, and brand and vision. Every nominee's submission is reviewed by regional specialists, scored against a published rubric, and audited before final results are sealed.

How to Win in 2026

Submissions that tell a clear, evidence-backed story consistently outperform those built on adjectives. Bring numbers, customer testimonials, third-party validation, and case studies that show before-and-after outcomes. Be specific about the change you've driven in your part of the Middle East economy. Nominate early — late submissions still get full jury attention, but early-submitted entries benefit from longer pre-gala media windows.

About Golden Tree Awards

Golden Tree Events LLC is the Dubai-based award management company behind a portfolio of 17 internationally recognised programmes spanning hospitality, business, technology, regional excellence, and individual leadership. The company operates an independent jury network, and a media-partner footprint across every major region. The annual gala on 14 November 2026 is the marquee moment where winners are revealed and celebrated.

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Questions

Frequently Asked

Who can participate in the Middle East Awards?

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Any organisation, brand, or individual based in or operating in any of the 12 Middle East countries can participate. This includes multinationals with regional presence, regional headquarters operating across multiple Middle East markets, and country-specific champions.

Is participation merit-based?

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Yes. Every nominee is evaluated by an independent regional jury against published criteria. There is no pay-to-win mechanic. Nomination fees cover programme administration and the gala, not the outcome of judging.

Can companies from outside the region nominate?

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The Middle East Awards are for organisations based in or with substantial operations in the Middle East. Organisations from outside the region with significant Middle East business presence (regional HQ, major operations, branded entities) are typically eligible — contact the awards team to confirm.

Can one company enter multiple categories?

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Yes — there is no cap. Most organisations nominate themselves in three to six categories spanning industry-specific, leadership, and individual awards to maximise their odds across competition pillars.

Do I need to attend the Dubai gala to win?

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Attendance is not mandatory — winners who cannot attend can have trophies shipped internationally. That said, the in-person gala is where the meaningful networking and press coverage happens, so attendance is strongly encouraged.

How much does it cost to nominate?

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Nomination fees vary by award programme and category level. Please contact the awards team at awards@goldentreeawards.com or call +971 58 586 2014 to receive the current fee schedule.

How long does the evaluation take?

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Typical evaluation runs four to six weeks from submission of complete documentation. Shortlists are announced approximately one month before the Dubai gala in November.

How is Middle East Awards different from the global awards?

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The Arabian Best of Best Awards is the flagship regional programme dedicated specifically to Middle East. The global programmes (Travel, CEO, Tech, etc.) are open to all countries worldwide. Most Middle East organisations enter both — the regional award gives geographic specificity, and global awards give world-stage recognition.

Award Ceremony Highlights

Watch the Dubai gala.

Press play on any highlight reel to experience the Golden Tree Awards ceremony.

Gala Highlight Reel — 2024 Dubai Edition

Gala Highlight Reel — 2024 Dubai Edition

Winners Announcement & Red Carpet

Winners Announcement & Red Carpet

Best Moments from the Gala Stage

Best Moments from the Gala Stage

Behind the Scenes — Production

Behind the Scenes — Production

View Full Gallery →

Ready to Get Recognised Regionally?

Submit your nomination today and join the league of award-winning leaders, brands, and institutions celebrated at Dubai's most prestigious gala.

Nominate Now → Register for Awards →

Talk to the Awards Team

Questions about eligibility, category fit, or partnership opportunities? Our team responds within one business day.

Emailawards@goldentreeawards.com Call / WhatsApp+971 58 586 2014 Get StartedNominate Now →

Winner Voices

Real winners. Real recognition.

Past honourees on the impact of recognition on their brand, partnerships and team. Videos play inline — no popups, no redirects.

Samir Messaoudi

World GM Awards · Oman

Beauty Escape

International Spa & Beauty Awards · London

Amber Holiday Homes

International Travel Awards

7 seas holiday hotel

International Travel Awards · London

AlRedha Insurance Broker LLC

Arabian Best of Best Awards · Dubai (UAE)

Arabica Orient Tours

Arabian Best of Best Awards · Oman

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