Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—Egyptian Information Minister Salah Abdul-Maqsoud presented Asharq Al-Awsat with the prize for best tourism supplement at the Arab Tourism Media Awards ceremony held in Cairo. The event was attended by members of the Arab press, along with entertainment and political figures.

Abdul Sattar Hatita, Asharq Al-Awsat’s Cairo editorial chief, accepted the award on behalf of the Asharq Al-Awsat tourism department.

Khalid Khalil, Deputy Chairman of the Arab Center for Tourism Media, announced that Asharq Al-Awsat had won the prize for best Arab newspaper concerned with tourism, specialization in four pages dedicated to tourism every week. He praised Asharq Al-Awsat for being “the only Arab newspaper that devotes this much space [to tourism].”

Commenting on the newspaper supplement’s success, Jocelyne Elia, Asharq Al-Awsat’s Travel Editor said, “It is an honor to receive such recognition, however I must point out that the success of the travel supplement would not be possible without the team of journalists who contribute to ensure that we always produce first class tourism coverage.”

Osama Abu Al-Saud of Kuwait’s Al-Anba newspaper was awarded the prize for best tourism journalism, while the Saudi-based website “Travelerpedia.net” won the prize for best youth-hosted travel website.

“Helwa Ya Balady” (My Beautiful Country) won the award for best Egyptian tourism television program, while “Mashaweer” was awarded the prize for best Arabic-language television program specializing in Arab tourism. “Mashaweer” is broadcast on Abu Dhabi TV. Television program “I Love Morocco” also won a special award.

Al-Masafar Al-Arabi (The Arab Traveler) won the award for best Arabic-language tourism magazine. The international “Jordan is Sweeter” tourism campaign won the award for best Arab promotional campaign.

A number of films promoting Arab tourism were showcased during the awards ceremony.