Dubai Economy and Tourism recognises 153 Hotels with Sustainable Tourism Recognition

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai is making big strides in promoting sustainability in the tourism industry. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has honoured 153 hotels with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp in the second round of this special initiative. This is a huge jump from last year when only 70 hotels were recognised, showing that more hotels are now focusing on eco-friendly practices.

The DST Stamp, introduced in July 2023, is awarded to hotels that follow strict sustainability standards. These hotels work hard to save energy and water, manage waste properly, and involve their staff in green initiatives. The awards are divided into three categories—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—based on how well each hotel meets the requirements. The winners were announced on February 26 at an exclusive event held at Atlantis The Royal.

Dubai’s Green Vision

This initiative supports Dubai’s larger goals for a cleaner and greener future. It aligns with global sustainability targets, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) for 2030 and Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33). Through this programme, Dubai aims to set an example for the world by making its hospitality sector more environmentally friendly.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awardees

In 2024, a total of 18 hotels received the prestigious Gold DST Stamp. Some of the top names on this list include Atlantis, The Palm; Atlantis The Royal; Jumeirah Al Qasr; Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf; Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa; and Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai. Meanwhile, 64 hotels were awarded Silver, and 71 earned Bronze. These hotels went through strict assessments by independent experts to ensure they met Dubai’s sustainability requirements.

Leaders in Hospitality Share Their Views

Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance at DET and Chairperson of DET Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, expressed his pride in the growing number of hotels joining this initiative. He emphasized that Dubai’s leadership is fully committed to making the city a global example of sustainable tourism. He thanked the hotels for their dedication and encouraged others to follow suit.

Kelly Timmins, Executive Director of Sustainability & Marine Animal Operations at Atlantis Dubai, was thrilled that both Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal received the Gold DST Stamp. She highlighted that sustainability is a key part of their business, and through the Atlantis Atlas Project, they are working to create a positive impact on both people and the planet. She reaffirmed their commitment to continuous improvement in environmental practices.

Peter Roth, Regional Vice President of Madinat Jumeirah and General Manager of Jumeirah Al Qasr, also shared his excitement. He said that sustainability is at the heart of their operations, and receiving this award motivates them to do even more. Their team is dedicated to making Dubai a leading destination for sustainable travel.

Pam Wilby, General Manager of Grosvenor House and Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, echoed similar sentiments. She said they are proud to integrate sustainability into luxury hospitality. Their goal is to provide unforgettable experiences for guests while reducing their impact on the environment.

The Road Ahead

The DST Stamp is valid for one year, which means hotels need to continuously maintain and improve their sustainability efforts to keep their certification. Hotels that did not receive the award this year are encouraged to continue working towards greener operations so they can be recognised in the future.

Dubai’s dedication to sustainability is part of the UAE’s broader Net Zero 2050 Strategy, which aims for carbon neutrality. Other projects, such as the Carbon Calculator platform, help hotels track and reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, the Dubai Can initiative has helped save over 30 million single-use plastic water bottles since 2022 by encouraging people to refill their bottles instead of using disposable ones.

Looking forward, Dubai has ambitious plans under its 2040 Urban Master Plan. This includes doubling the size of green areas, increasing nature reserves to cover 60% of the city, and extending public beaches by 400%. More space will also be dedicated to hotels and tourism activities while ensuring that sustainability remains a top priority.

With efforts like these, Dubai is setting an example for cities worldwide, proving that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand. The hospitality sector’s dedication to environmental responsibility will help ensure that Dubai remains a top destination for future generations.