Mleiha National Park was named Middle East’s Leading National Park 2026, while The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, was named Middle East’s Leading Boutique Resort 2026 and Sharjah’s Leading Resort 2026.

The Chedi Grand Suite was also named Sharjah’s Leading Hotel Suite 2026, extending its winning streak in the category to seven years in a row.

The awards recognise two distinct elements of Shurooq’s destination portfolio. Mleiha combines archaeology, desert landscapes, conservation and outdoor experiences, whereas The Chedi Al Bait offers luxury hospitality rooted in the architecture and character of historic Sharjah.

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, said the awards reflect the diversity of Sharjah’s tourism offering and the approach underpinning the development of each destination.

He said Shurooq does not apply a single model across the emirate, instead building on the qualities that make each destination distinctive. At Mleiha, this means protecting and interpreting its natural and archaeological landscape, while at The Chedi Al Bait it focuses on preserving the heritage and urban character of historic Sharjah.

Al Qaseer added that the recognition reinforces Shurooq’s commitment to creating destinations that are regionally competitive while remaining deeply connected to Sharjah’s identity.

Mleiha earns first Middle East national park title

Mleiha National Park’s recognition as the Middle East’s Leading National Park 2026 places it among the region’s leading national parks. It was the only UAE destination shortlisted in the category.

The award builds on Mleiha’s previous World Travel Awards recognition, including the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-Tourism Project being named the Middle East’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Initiative in 2019 and 2020.

The destination brings together more than 210,000 years of human history, desert landscapes, archaeological discovery, education, stargazing and outdoor exploration.

Mleiha National Park lies within the core zone of the UNESCO-inscribed Faya Palaeolandscape, underscoring its international heritage significance and its role as a landscape documenting long periods of human presence and adaptation in arid environments.

The Chedi Al Bait secures regional and Sharjah honours

The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, secured two titles in 2026: Middle East’s Leading Boutique Resort and Sharjah’s Leading Resort.

Located in the historic Heart of Sharjah district, the 65-key property was developed as part of a major heritage preservation project, which transformed five historic houses, once belonging to prominent Emirati families, into a five-star hospitality destination.

More than 100 years old, the houses were carefully restored to preserve their original Emirati architecture and cultural character while adapting them for contemporary hospitality.

One of the houses was once the home of Ibrahim Bin Mohammed Al Midfa, a prominent figure in Sharjah’s history. It now houses a museum and library that document the emirate’s history and his contributions to its development.

The Middle East’s Leading Boutique Resort title gives the property regional recognition, while its Sharjah’s Leading Resort award extends its established record at emirate level.

The Chedi Al Bait was named Sharjah’s Leading Resort in 2023, 2024 and 2025, making the 2026 award its fourth consecutive win in the category.

Chedi Grand Suite extends seven-year winning streak

The Chedi Grand Suite was named Sharjah’s Leading Hotel Suite 2026, marking its seventh consecutive win in the World Travel Awards category.

The suite has held the title every year since 2020, extending one of The Chedi Al Bait’s longest-running distinctions and further enhancing the property’s wider recognition in the 2026 awards.

Recognition across tourism categories

The four World Travel Awards titles span nature tourism, boutique hospitality, resorts and premium accommodation, recognising Shurooq across distinct parts of its tourism and hospitality portfolio.

The 2026 results add to Shurooq’s growing record of recognition for destinations developed around Sharjah’s distinct landscapes, heritage assets and cultural character.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards recognise organisations and destinations across the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors through country, regional and global award programmes.