New Awards to Recognise Abu Dhabi’s Tourism & Frontline Professionals

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has launched the first edition of its Visitor Experience Awards, recognising organisations and frontline professionals involved in delivering visitor experiences across the emirate.

More than 400 tourism and cultural organisations have been invited to participate in the inaugural edition, with the awards set to become an annual programme. A total of 24 winners will be announced at a gala ceremony later this year.

The awards are divided into two streams across eight categories. The Business Awards will recognise organisations for their performance across different areas of visitor experience, while the Frontliner Awards will focus on employees who interact directly with visitors.

Entries will be assessed by an independent judging panel drawn from Abu Dhabi’s public and private sectors, with expertise spanning tourism, hospitality, culture, customer experience, innovation, accessibility and service standards.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the department, said the awards are intended to recognise organisations and professionals setting higher standards while encouraging continued improvement across the sector.

The initiative forms part of the department’s wider Visitor Experience programme, which also includes Visitor Experience Guidelines and the VX Academy, both designed to support tourism organisations and professionals in improving how visitors experience Abu Dhabi.