Fakhry AlSarraj

Director of Event Bureau at Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT)

Judge

Fakhry Al Sarraj is an accomplished tourism and events executive who has played a key role in shaping Abu Dhabi’s events sector. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to advancing Abu Dhabi’s tourism and events landscape.

As Director of the Abu Dhabi Events Bureau at DCT Abu Dhabi, Fakhry has contributed to the transformation of the emirate’s events portfolio, helping expand it from fewer than 10 events to over 100 annually, with attendance surpassing 1.5 million. He has been instrumental in securing global partnerships with UFC, NBA, EuroLeague, and others, positioning Abu Dhabi as a premier destination for sports, entertainment, and culture.

He played a key role in Abu Dhabi’s 10-year Tourism Strategy and pioneered Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to drive private sector investment in the events industry. Notably, he led the execution of ‘Fight Island,’ turning it into a global success story that allowed international sporting events to continue safely during the pandemic. He also spearheaded the DCT’s COVID-19 response task force, launching the ‘Go Safe Certification’ program to ensure industry-wide compliance with health and safety standards.

With a strategic vision and strong stakeholder management expertise, Fakhry continues to contribute to the evolution of Abu Dhabi’s events landscape. Prior to DCT Abu Dhabi, he held leadership roles in event management and finance.