The Afro-Asian Union for Tourism, Development, and Technology (AFASU) honoured the Pickalbatros Hotels & Resorts Group, led by its chairman Kamel Abu Ali, as well as his team and regional marketing and events manager Mohamed Eid Soliman at a special ceremony on 5th September in Cairo, Egypt.
In addition,they were lauded individually and their respective citations were as follows:
- Kamel Abu Ali, a hospitality icon in the Middle East and North Africa, received the award for Man of the Year: The Inspirational Leader. In his speech, he expressed his pride in this honour, considering it an incentive to continue working on developing the sector and offering unique tourism experiences.
- Pickalbatros Hotels & Resorts Group received the award for Exceptional Excellence in Hotel Investment and Management. The award is an acknowledgment of the scale of its investments and geographical expansion.
- Mohamed Eid Soliman received the award for Best Outstanding Marketing Management. In his speech, he thanked the Union for the honor and confirmed that this award is the result of a collective effort by a well-integrated team that is keen on innovation in every detail of its work under the leadership of the inspirational and exemplary captain Kamel Abu Ali.
The ceremony was held to present them with the AFASU Golden Award in the presence of high-profile figures from industry leaders, media professionals, and international experts.
More than another award
AFASU president Hossam Darwish opened the ceremony with a moving speech, stressing that the award is not just an honour but also serves as a powerful message that excellence and creativity are the foundation of the sector's progress.
He expressed his pride in the cooperation with the parent organization, the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization (AAPSO), under the leadership of its president Ambassador Mohamed El-Orabi.
Darwish likewise extended a special tribute to the Union’s honorary president Major General Dr Khaled Fouda, confirming that his support has been crucial in achieving this global success.
Fouda, an advisor to the President of the Egyptian Republic for development and heritage, extended his warm congratulations to the Pickalbatros team, praising their achievements which have benefitted the tourism sector.
He added that the Afro-Asian Union is taking wide and confident strides toward global prominence, affirming his great confidence in the Union's vision and goals.
For his part, Union secretary-general Major General Ashraf Abu Aish praised the efforts of the International Judging Committee.
This committee was made up of 45 experts from around the world, proof that the award is granted based on highly rigorous criteria.
International tourism expert Bernard Metzger, chairman of the Hotels Awards within the Union, spoke about the precision of the evaluation process, which ensures that every winner truly deserves this honor.
Dr Jens Thraenhart, a member of the Supreme Judging Committee, shared his experience as a global tourism expert, noting that the awards represent a commitment to fundamental principles such as sustainable growth, inspirational leadership, and performance management.
International tourism and hospitality experts and fellow judging committee members Yolanda Perdomo and Dr Olga Stowell added that this type of award is crucial, and the prestigious international AFASU Golden Award is an emblem of honour for everyone who receives it, especially since the criteria are very strict and the judging committee includes 45 of the world's most prominent experts in the tourism, hotel, and sustainable development sectors.
