Three prominent figures in Bahrain’s tourism and aviation sectors have been named to the 2025 Forbes Middle East list of the Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders.
Sara Buhiji, the chief executive of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and chairwoman of Exhibition World Bahrain, leads the kingdom’s presence on the list at number 65. Ms Buhiji, who assumed her role in 2024, oversaw a 15 per cent growth in Bahrain’s cruise ship season between November 2024 and April 2025, which saw 37 ships and 140,100 tourists. She also serves on the boards of Gulf Air Group Holding and the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.
Ranked 75th is Ahmed Janahi, the group chief executive of Gulf Hotels Group (GHG). Mr Janahi took his position in October 2023, and in 2024, GHG reported net profits of $23.5 million, a 30.5pc increase from the previous year, with revenues reaching $112.4m. The group also signed an agreement with Marriott International in September 2024 to integrate the Gulf Hotel Bahrain into the Autograph Collection.
Jeffrey Goh, group chief executive of Gulf Air Group Holding, is ranked 86th. Since joining the company in January 2023, Mr Goh has overseen a number of key developments. Gulf Air signed a $4.6 billion agreement with Boeing in July 2025 to acquire 18 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, launched new direct flights to Nairobi and London Gatwick, and signed a memorandum of understanding with Joramco to explore expanded collaboration in aircraft maintenance.
The list, which reflects the powerful momentum building across the sector, is topped for the fourth consecutive year by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group. The group recorded $39.6bn in revenues for the 2024-25 financial year, a 6pc increase, and holds $49.7bn in assets. Fahd Hamidaddin, chief executive of the Saudi Tourism Authority, and Badr Al Meer, group chief executive of Qatar Airways Group, rounded out the top three.
Forbes Middle East evaluated leaders based on the scale of their organisations – measured by revenues, assets, hotel keys, and passenger numbers – as well as their experience and impact. Executives on the list represent 10 countries in the Mena region, with the UAE having the most leaders at 49, followed by Saudi Arabia with 24.
The list also highlights broader industry developments, including Miral’s plan to develop the region’s first Disney theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and the focus on heritage and eco-tourism by companies such as Diriyah Company and ENVI Lodges.
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