Alexandria, Egypt, September 18, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / In a grand celebration on the shores of Alexandria, the Afro-Asian Union (AFASU), under the leadership of Dr. Hossam Darwish, honored Marseilia Beach Group with the AFASU Golden Award for the Most Influential Hotel Group in Egypt 2025, in recognition of its pioneering role in tourism and hospitality investment. At the same event, Mr. Ehab El Gendy, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Marseilia Beach Group, received the Leadership Excellence Award for his outstanding managerial achievements.

The prestigious ceremony was held at the iconic XU San Stefano Hotel and attended by distinguished business leaders, ambassadors, tourism executives, hotel sector representatives, and leading media figures from Egypt and across the Arab world. AFASU members and international journalists also traveled to Alexandria to cover the landmark occasion.

The evening began with the Egyptian national anthem, followed by keynote speeches from prominent figures, including Major General Ashraf Abu Eish, Secretary General of AFASU, Mr. Bernard Metzger, international tourism expert and AFASU board member, and Dr. Hossam Darwish, President of AFASU and Head of the International Golden Awards Committee. Dr. Darwish emphasized that the recognition reflects Egypt’s growing stature on the global tourism map.

During the ceremony, Mr. El Gendy received the AFASU Golden Award trophy and certificate of honor, alongside his personal Leadership Excellence Award. The group’s employees were also acknowledged with a special award celebrating their dedication and contribution to the company’s collective success.

In his remarks, Mr. El Gendy expressed heartfelt gratitude, noting that the award came as a surprise, which underscores the credibility and transparency of AFASU’s international recognition. He dedicated the achievement to the entire Marseilia team, highlighting their collective effort in transforming vision into reality.

The ceremony also featured the launch of the Arab Tourism Media Club, supported by Marseilia Beach Group, led by Mr. Mahmoud El Geshy, with prominent members of the club in attendance.

Visual presentations showcased Marseilia’s journey and milestones, followed by group photos including AFASU leaders, the company’s management, and the Arab Tourism Media Club. The evening concluded with a gala dinner and artistic performances.

The AFASU Golden Awards Jury, comprising 45 international experts from Africa, Asia, and Europe, unanimously selected Marseilia Beach Group for the award. Their decision was based on the group’s management of more than 1,000 hotel rooms, ambitious expansion plans, investments exceeding 1.2 billion Egyptian pounds in just two years, and the launch of new brands such as XU Hotels and Eastern Hotels, demonstrating a strategic integration of real estate and hospitality sectors.

Through this recognition, AFASU reaffirms its mission as a global platform honoring excellence in tourism and hospitality, while spotlighting Egypt’s role as a regional and international driver of tourism development.

Source