AFASU Honours Creative Pioneers & Influential Arab Media Leaders in Tourism

Cairo, Egypt — In a major celebration of the media’s role in regional development, the Afro-Asian Union (AFASU) hosted its prestigious International Golden Awards ceremony on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Held at the Concorde El Salam Hotel in Heliopolis, Cairo, this year’s gala was themed “Honoring Influential Leaders and Creative Pioneers in Tourism and Arab Media.” The high-profile event drew an elite gathering of public figures, diplomats, media executives, and hospitality professionals from across the Arab world and beyond.

Media as a Pillar of Economic Growth

Opening the ceremony, AFASU President Dr. Hossam Darwish emphasized that the awards reflect the Union’s deep appreciation for journalists, digital content creators, and influencers who passionately promote Arab tourism and showcase regional cultural destinations.

“Modern media is one of the most powerful tools for development, marketing, and shaping the international image of nations,” Dr. Darwish stated, reaffirming AFASU’s commitment to elevating those who leverage journalism, television, and social platforms for positive global impact.

AFASU Secretary-General Major General Ashraf Abu Eish echoed these sentiments, noting that the event embodies the Union’s core vision of celebrating high-achievers who advance Arab media standards while strengthening the culture of travel and cross-border dialogue.

The distinguished guest list included several high-ranking dignitaries, notably H.E. Prof. Hazem Attia Allah and H.E. Dr. Ghada Shalaby, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism.

The Responsibility of the ‘Fourth Estate’

Taking the podium, H.E. Alain St. Ange—Seychelles Ambassador-at-Large, internationally renowned tourism expert, and President of the AFASU International Awards Sector—placed the press at the absolute heart of the evening’s message.

“The three traditional pillars of democracy — the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislative — have accepted the Press as the needed fourth pillar,” St. Ange told the crowd. “But this recognition comes with responsibility. You are all the mouthpiece of countries needing their tourism industry’s unique selling point to reach the key tourism source markets.”

St. Ange drew parallels between the distinctive island appeal of his native Seychelles and Egypt’s own unmatched historical and cultural assets, underlining how crucial responsible media storytelling is to transporting these unique narratives to global travelers.

2026 Laureates & Institutional Honors

The ceremony reached its peak with the presentation of awards to a selective roster of journalists, broadcasters, and digital trailblazers who have built bridges across nations:

• Saeed Gamal El Din (Journalist & Media Professional)
• Doaa Al Ajmi (Digital Influencer)
• Eman Sharif (Bahrain)
• Rana Al Rees (UAE)
• Kefaya Abu Diya (Qatar)
• Rana Al Nasser (Lebanon)
• Naseh Al Kadi (Morocco)
• Ahmed Ezz
• Ayman Adly
• Sherine Farouk
• Dr. Saleh Al Makhdoum
• Adel Al Alfi
• Mohamed El Eskandarani
• Mohamed El Shamy
• Mohamed Sheraby
• Mahmoud Al Jishi
• Nermine Abdel Moaty

Pioneering Media Platforms Recognized

AFASU also spotlighted two trailblazing institutions reshaping the Arab media landscape:

• Al Rehla Tourism Newspaper: Led by Mr. Mahmoud Al Jishi, the publication was recognized as a premier Arab tourism media platform for its foundational, pioneering role in sector journalism.
• Hala Podcast: Co-founded by media personality Ahmed Ezz, the platform was honored as one of the fastest-growing digital outlets in the region, currently commanding tens of millions of followers and generating billions of views across its channels.

Through the 2026 International Golden Awards, AFASU has reinforced its message of deep appreciation for the writers, creators, and broadcasters who actively drive sustainable development and cultural unity through responsible, impactful media.