Sheikh Ahmed ranked region's top travel and tourism leader by Forbes Middle East

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group on the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2021. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Ahmed looks at a Bell helicopter during his visit to the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association airshow at Dubai World Central Airport. Pawan Singh / The National

Sheikh Ahmed with Arsenal football club manager Mikel Arteta.

Sheikh Ahmed on a Sukhoi business jet at the MEBAA airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Ahmed and Bernie Ecclestone, then chief executive of the Formula One Group announce a five-year sponsorship agreement starting in the 2013 racing season. Razan Alzayani / The National

Sheikh Ahmed and Prince Harry arrive at an event for the British royal's Sentebale charity, in Dubai. EPA

Sheikh Ahmed inaugurates Dnata's customer service centre for export cargo customers, in 2016.

Sheikh Ahmed at the official opening of the Emirates SkyCargo terminal in Dubai South, in 2015.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, who is also the president of Dubai Civil Aviation and chairman of Dubai Airports, has been ranked as the top travel and tourism leader by Forbes Middle East.

The list highlights 50 leaders from the Middle East who drive growth in the region's travel and tourism sector, building on their desire to reconnect with the world, state news agency Wam reported on Sunday.

Dubai Airports' chief executive Paul Griffiths ranked third in the list.

"The UAE dominated this month's list, with 24 of the leaders featured based in the UAE, followed by 11 in Saudi Arabia, and four in Egypt," the report said.

The hotels and hospitality sector provides the list with 26 entries, followed by aviation with 17 and tourism with seven entries.

The Middle East’s travel and tourism sector is likely to reach $246 billion this year, just 8.9 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The sector contributed $270bn to the region’s economy in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic struck, the global tourism body said on March 2.

“Since the start of the pandemic, governments across the Middle East have shown real commitment to travel and tourism. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is making a major investment in travel and tourism,” Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said at the time.