Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt, February 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / In a major global celebration hosted at the enchanting city of Hurghada, and under the patronage of the Afro-Asian Union for Tourism, Development, and Technology (AFASU), the AFASU Golden Award Ceremony 2026 was held to honor icons of excellence in the international hospitality sector.
The ceremony witnessed an exceptional moment as Jaz Hotel Group was honored with the award for “The Most Influential, Distinguished, and Innovative Hotel Group in Africa and Asia.” In addition, Mr. Alaa Akel, Chief Executive Officer of the Group, received the award for “Best CEO in the Hospitality Sector for 2026”.
High-Level International Attendance
The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Hossam Darwish, President of the Union, and Major General Ashraf Abu Eish, Secretary-General of AFASU, along with members of the Union’s Board of Directors.
The event was attended by an elite group of members of the International Supreme Jury Committee, comprising 45 global experts, led by:
– Mr. Bernard Metzger (Switzerland) – International tourism expert and Founder of Travelindex. Media Group
– Ms. Yolanda Perdomo (Spain) – Former Director at UN Tourism (UNWTO).
– Dr. Olga Stowell (Switzerland) – International expert in sustainable development strategies.
AFASU’s Vision: Standards Beyond Fame
In his keynote speech, Dr. Hossam Darwish emphasized that the selection of JAZ Hotel Group was based on highly detailed technical reports conducted over several months, stressing that the award is grounded in “sustainable impact” and “innovation”, not merely commercial expansion. He praised the Group’s ability to maintain global quality standards while actively supporting sustainable tourism across Africa and Asia.
For his part, Mr. Alaa Akel expressed his pride in this prestigious international recognition, affirming that the achievement is the result of collective efforts by the JAZ Group team and hotel general managers, who represent the cornerstone of the Group’s success. He also commended AFASU’s role in supporting leadership and innovation.
Sustainability and Digital Innovation
Members of the International Jury Committee highlighted their admiration for JAZ Group’s model of integrating advanced technology with authentic human-centered hospitality. They considered the Group a benchmark of “institutional leadership,” investing in human capital while preserving the environment in accordance with the highest international standards.
A Statement from the Secretary-General
Major General Ashraf Abu Eish, Secretary-General of AFASU, added:
“At the Union’s General Secretariat, we firmly believe that tourism is not merely hotel services; it is a true engine for sustainable development and a solid bridge for cooperation between the peoples of Africa and Asia. Hence, the value of the AFASU Golden Award presented today—it is not an honorary distinction, but an international certificate of merit that has passed through extremely rigorous, transparent, and objective technical and administrative evaluation channels.”
Strategic Outcomes
This recognition reinforces Egypt’s position as a leading global tourism destination with hotel institutions capable of competing internationally. It also opens new horizons for tourism cooperation between African and Asian countries through the AFASU international platform.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr. Alaa Akel, CEO of JAZ Hotel Group, received the two Golden Award shields amid the joy and celebration of the Group’s team and esteemed guests.
