At the kind invitation of Al-Rahla newspaper and the Arab Tourism Media Club, I had the pleasure of attending the second session of the “Golden Trip Awards” during the activities of the Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, in an experience that allowed me to get closer to a scene that brings together media and tourism, and confirms the magnitude of the role that specialized tourism media is now playing in this industry.

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which is held annually at the Dubai World Trade Center, is no longer just an exhibition for tourist destinations, but has become an international platform that brings together tourism bodies, airlines, hotels, tour operators and technology companies, along with media figures and content makers from various countries of the world.

Among the exhibition halls, the extent of development witnessed by the travel industry becomes clear. Competition today is not limited to attracting tourists, but rather extends to providing an integrated and innovative experience, and here specifically the growing role of tourism media in conveying experiences and creating the image that precedes the traveler’s decision is highlighted.
One of the prominent Arab experiences in this field is Al-Rahla newspaper, which was able to build a presence in the Arab tourism scene through specialized content and participation in tourism exhibitions and events. Dr. Saleh Al-Makhdoum holds the position of General Director of the newspaper, in addition to his presidency of the Arab Club for Tourism Media, while Mr. Mahmoud Al-Jishi is the editor-in-chief of Al-Rahla newspaper and serves as its executive director, and he is the founder of the Arab Club for Tourism Media.

The newspaper's presence this year culminated in it receiving the award for “The Most Influential Arab Tourism Newspaper in the Arab World,” an achievement that reflects the importance of specialized media and its ability to be an effective element in the tourism sector.

This role extended to the “Golden Journey Awards”, the second session of which was held in Dubai in conjunction with the Arabian Travel Market, to highlight the experiences, personalities and institutions that influence tourism, travel, hospitality, aviation, entertainment and media. The awards include 13 categories, and their philosophy is based on criteria including impact, innovation, quality of experience, sustainability, and international presence.
What I got out of this post is that the relationship between tourism and media has become more integrated than ever before. The destination may have the capabilities, and hotels and airlines may provide distinguished services, but delivering this experience to the traveler requires media capable of providing it with professionalism and credibility.

Hence the importance of “The Journey” and the Arab Tourism Media Club and its golden awards in enhancing the presence of Arab tourism media, while the Arab Travel Market remains a space that brings together parties of this industry, and confirms that the media is no longer just a transmitter of the tourism scene, but rather has become a partner in its industry.