The “Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp,” is a new green effort from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which aims to honor hotels that adhere the most closely to the 19 “Sustainability Requirements.”
Launched in conjunction with the ‘UAE Year of Sustainability’, the program is part of DET’s commitment to enhancing Dubai’s status as a premier sustainable tourism destination.
The new stamp, which was created in partnership with Dubai’s hospitality industry, aims to help the UAE’s ‘Net Zero 2050’ strategy and speed up efforts to empower the travel industry. The program will help further solidify Dubai’s position as one of the top three worldwide destinations as the city works to continuously fulfil the goals defined in the ‘Dubai Economic Agenda’, D33.
Hotels of all categories must adhere to the highest standards of DET’s 19 Sustainability requirements, which include guidelines for waste management plans, staff education and engagement programs, and energy and water efficiency. A council of top industry specialists will oversee the accreditation process to assure its independence and integrity, and the initiative’s design was based on international best practices.
The stamp will have a three-tier system with Gold, Silver, and Bronze category levels. The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp nomination period for hotels will run from August 3 to August 31.
“As part of our efforts to transform Dubai into a leading sustainable tourism destination in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make our city the best place in the world to visit, live in, and work in,” said Yousuf Lootah, Acting CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance Sector, Department of Economy and Tourism of Dubai, while interacting with the local media.
“In order to recognize hotels that go above and beyond in their sustainable operations, we have carefully compiled a set of high-standard criteria. By honouring these outstanding enterprises, we are enticing others to emulate them and adopt sustainable ideas that will not only help their companies but also improve the general well-being of our city and the entire planet,” the official remarked further.
“This effort, which has the support of Dubai’s thriving hotel sector, is a significant move in the direction of realizing our vision of making Dubai a top destination for tourists looking for the pinnacle of sustainability. We are not only preserving the environment but also encouraging sustainable growth by assisting companies and pushing them to adopt eco-friendly practices and reduce their carbon footprint,” Yousuf Lootah noted.
“The introduction of the ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp’ also demonstrates the tourism industry’s foresight and determination to foster an eco-friendly sector that is both economically successful and environmentally responsible,” the official added further.
Dubai is preparing to host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), the UN Climate Change Conference, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
The Carbon Calculator, a tool to assist stakeholders and partners in identifying cost-saving opportunities and managing the transition to sustainable practices in accordance with the “Sustainability Requirements,” is one of the creative projects made possible by DET’s sustainability strategy.
Dubai Can, a citywide sustainability campaign, emphasizes encouraging people to refill their reusable bottles and promoting their use. Since its debut in February 2022, Dubai Can have been effective in reducing the consumption of an amount of single-use plastic water bottles equal to more than 10 million 500-ml bottles and has resulted in the installation of 50 water fountains all throughout the city.
The Final Take
The “Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp” represents a significant step towards solidifying Dubai’s position as a leading sustainable tourism destination.
By recognizing hotels that adhere to the highest sustainability standards, Dubai aims to inspire others to adopt eco-friendly practices. With the support of the thriving hotel sector and various creative projects, including the Carbon Calculator and the Dubai Can campaign, Dubai is taking concrete steps towards realizing its vision of becoming a top sustainable destination globally.
As the city prepares to host the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Dubai’s dedication to sustainability remains at the forefront of its efforts to create a better and more environmentally responsible future for the tourism industry and the overall economy.