Leadership Overview
Dubai Tourism has 8 executives leading key functions including global strategy, economic policy, regulatory governance, business transformation, corporate performance, SME development, and marketing.
Committed to enhancing the global travel experience, Dubai Tourism drives sustainable growth through innovative tourism solutions and cultural engagement across the United Arab Emirates.
Committed to enhancing the global travel experience, Dubai Tourism drives sustainable growth through innovative tourism solutions and cultural engagement across the United Arab Emirates.
Leadership Roles at Dubai Tourism
George Michael - Chief Executive Officer
George Michael, the Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Tourism, directs the overarching vision for international travel engagement and hospitality excellence. Overseeing the expansion of tourism infrastructure, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that all visitor services align with the long-term growth objectives of the organization. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional stakeholders to maintain the competitive edge of the United Arab Emirates as a premier global destination. By optimizing operational workflows, George Michael directly impacts the efficiency of travel accommodations and event management. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer secures the reputation of the brand by fostering high-quality visitor experiences that drive repeat tourism. Through rigorous oversight of departmental output, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the standard of excellence required for sustained market leadership in the hospitality sector.
Essa Hadher - Chief Executive Officer, Economic Strategy
Essa Hadher, the Chief Executive Officer, Economic Strategy at Dubai Tourism, architects the financial frameworks that support tourism development and economic diversification. Analyzing market trends, the Chief Executive Officer, Economic Strategy identifies key investment opportunities that bolster the hospitality landscape. This role requires close collaboration with the board to ensure that economic initiatives remain consistent with the broader mission of the organization. By evaluating the fiscal impact of various travel programs, Essa Hadher drives revenue growth and resource allocation efficiency. The Chief Executive Officer, Economic Strategy monitors regional economic shifts to adapt service offerings for international visitors. Through data-driven decision-making, the Chief Executive Officer, Economic Strategy strengthens the financial stability of the company while promoting the United Arab Emirates as a hub for global tourism and business activities.
Sahia Ahmad - Chief Executive Officer, Regulatory Policy & Governance
Sahia Ahmad, the Chief Executive Officer, Regulatory Policy & Governance at Dubai Tourism, establishes the legal and operational standards governing all tourism activities. Overseeing compliance frameworks, the Chief Executive Officer, Regulatory Policy & Governance ensures that every travel service adheres to the strict regulatory requirements of the United Arab Emirates. This leadership role involves drafting policies that protect visitor interests while facilitating seamless business operations for hospitality partners. By managing governance protocols, Sahia Ahmad mitigates operational risks and promotes transparency across the organization. The Chief Executive Officer, Regulatory Policy & Governance coordinates with government entities to align internal procedures with national tourism mandates. Through the implementation of robust policy structures, the Chief Executive Officer, Regulatory Policy & Governance guarantees that the company maintains its status as a trusted leader in the regional travel industry.

Farid Karmostaji - Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Policies and Economic Studies Sector
Farid Karmostaji, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Policies and Economic Studies Sector at Dubai Tourism, conducts deep-dive research into tourism market dynamics to inform strategic planning. Analyzing visitor behavior, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Policies and Economic Studies Sector provides actionable insights that shape the development of new travel products. This role involves synthesizing complex economic data to support the decision-making processes of the executive leadership team. By evaluating the efficacy of current policies, Farid Karmostaji drives continuous improvement in service delivery and operational performance. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Policies and Economic Studies Sector monitors regional market shifts to ensure that the organization remains responsive to changing global travel demands. Through rigorous study and policy formulation, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Policies and Economic Studies Sector enhances the overall competitiveness of the tourism sector.
Rashed Karmastaji - Director - Business Transformation Chief Executive Officer Office
Rashed Karmastaji, the Director - Business Transformation Chief Executive Officer Office at Dubai Tourism, executes large-scale organizational changes to modernize internal processes. Overseeing digital integration, the Director - Business Transformation Chief Executive Officer Office streamlines communication between departments to improve operational agility. This leadership role involves identifying bottlenecks in service delivery and implementing technological solutions that enhance the visitor experience. By managing transformation projects, Rashed Karmastaji ensures that the company remains at the forefront of the hospitality industry. The Director - Business Transformation Chief Executive Officer Office collaborates with other executives to align business processes with the overarching strategic goals of the organization. Through the optimization of internal workflows, the Director - Business Transformation Chief Executive Officer Office drives efficiency and supports the long-term scalability of the company in the competitive United Arab Emirates market.
Yousuf Lootah - Corporate Strategy & Performance Acting Chief Executive Officer
Yousuf Lootah, the Corporate Strategy & Performance Acting Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Tourism, defines the long-term roadmap for organizational success and performance measurement. Overseeing key performance indicators, the Corporate Strategy & Performance Acting Chief Executive Officer ensures that all departments meet their strategic targets. This role involves evaluating the effectiveness of current business models and pivoting strategies to capture emerging market opportunities. By fostering a culture of accountability, Yousuf Lootah drives high-level performance across the entire organization. The Corporate Strategy & Performance Acting Chief Executive Officer coordinates with the board to report on progress and adjust objectives based on regional market conditions. Through the rigorous monitoring of corporate metrics, the Corporate Strategy & Performance Acting Chief Executive Officer guarantees that the company maintains its trajectory of growth and excellence in the global tourism landscape.
Amira Sakhawy - Principal Executive - Chief Executive Officer Office (Dubai SME)
Amira Sakhawy, the Principal Executive - Chief Executive Officer Office (Dubai SME) at Dubai Tourism, manages the integration of small and medium enterprises into the broader tourism ecosystem. Overseeing partnerships with local businesses, the Principal Executive - Chief Executive Officer Office (Dubai SME) ensures that the tourism supply chain remains diverse and vibrant. This leadership role involves creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs to showcase their services to international visitors. By facilitating collaboration between SMEs and the main tourism infrastructure, Amira Sakhawy drives economic development within the United Arab Emirates. The Principal Executive - Chief Executive Officer Office (Dubai SME) monitors the performance of these partnerships to ensure they contribute positively to the overall visitor experience. Through the support of local business growth, the Principal Executive - Chief Executive Officer Office (Dubai SME) strengthens the cultural and economic impact of the organization.
Mweene Bashily - Chief Marketing Officer
Mweene Bashily, the Chief Marketing Officer at Dubai Tourism, architects the global brand identity and promotional campaigns that attract visitors to the region. Overseeing digital marketing and public relations, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the unique value proposition of the destination reaches target audiences worldwide. This leadership role involves managing multi-channel advertising efforts that highlight the diverse activities and events available to tourists. By analyzing consumer engagement data, Mweene Bashily drives the optimization of marketing spend to maximize reach and conversion. The Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with other executives to ensure that promotional messaging aligns with the strategic goals of the company. Through the execution of high-impact campaigns, the Chief Marketing Officer secures the position of the United Arab Emirates as a top-tier global travel destination, consistently driving visitor traffic and brand loyalty.
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