Dubai sets a record by granting 237 hotels the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal

The Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai announced today that 237 hotels have been awarded the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal as part of the third cycle of the initiative, in recognition of their commitment to sustainability standards and responsible hospitality practices.

The third cycle of the initiative witnessed a 55% increase in the number of hotels receiving the seal, compared to 153 hotels in the second cycle, and more than three times the number of hotels that were honored when the initiative was launched in 2023, which numbered 70 hotels.

This growth reflects the commitment of Dubai’s hospitality sector to adopt responsible and sustainable tourism practices, supporting the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The third session concluded with the presentation of 22 gold seals, 92 silver seals, and 123 bronze seals to hotels that demonstrated excellence in meeting the sustainability requirements set by the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai.

These standards span ESG areas, including energy and water efficiency, waste management, responsible sourcing, enhanced employee engagement, guest awareness, community initiatives, and climate action.

This significant increase in the number of winning hotels reflects a systematic approach to sustainability in the hospitality sector in Dubai. Hotels integrate these requirements into their daily operations, contributing to achieving Dubai’s broader ambitions in the environmental, economic and tourism fields.

The winning hotels underwent a rigorous evaluation process conducted by independent evaluation experts, and a high-level committee audited and certified the final results to ensure transparency, alignment, and adherence to the 19 sustainability requirements set by the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai.

This certificate is valid for one year, which encourages continuous development and long-term sustainability in Dubai’s hospitality sector.

Yousef Lootah, Executive Director of the Strategy and Corporate Performance Sector, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee at the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, said that the Dubai Sustainability Seal was launched under the directives of our wise leadership in 2023 to support sustainable practices and establish new standards of excellence in environmental protection, in addition to contributing to achieving the country’s goals of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

He added that the clear increase in the number of hotels that meet the criteria for obtaining the Dubai Sustainability Seal in this cycle indicates the commitment of the hospitality sector in Dubai to integrating sustainability into its daily operations. The continued success of this initiative and the commitment to meeting the nineteen sustainability requirements set by the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai also embodies the joint efforts between the public and private sectors, which contribute to driving growth in the hospitality sector in general. He congratulated the hotels that won the award and urged all hotels in Dubai to continue adopting a culture of sustainability.

The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal Award provides travelers with a trusted and independently accredited standard for responsible hospitality, and enhances the competitiveness levels of the sector in Dubai by honoring hotels that meet the 19 sustainability requirements of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai.

The department encourages hotels that did not receive the award in this cycle to continue their sustainability efforts and participate in future cycles, especially in light of the annual growth recorded by the program and the expansion of its scope throughout the emirate.

The Dubai Seal of Sustainable Tourism Award forms part of the broader sustainability strategy of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, which aims to accelerate the tourism sector’s transition towards a low-carbon future and enhance levels of resource efficiency.

The Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai supports hotels to achieve these ambitions, and provides practical tools and training sessions that contribute to consolidating sustainability in all aspects of the sector.

These tools include the Carbon Calculation Tool, which enables hotels to track and reduce emissions while identifying cost savings, and the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Initiative course via the Dubai Approach platform, which is offered by Dubai College of Tourism with the aim of enhancing expertise in the sector.

The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal Award, with these supportive initiatives, helps hotels improve their performance in the field of sustainability, supports Dubai’s broader tourism and economic ambitions, and also contributes to achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the UAE’s goals of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the endeavors of the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

It is expected that further improvements will be made to the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal in the upcoming editions, in line with Dubai’s broader ambitions in the field of sustainability and accessibility.