Dubai unveils tourism stamp to showcase sustainable hotels

Dubai has unveiled a new initiative to recognise hotels with the highest adherence to sustainability practices.

Establishments that meet the Department of Economy and Tourism's (DET) 19 sustainability requirements will be awarded the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, which features gold, silver and bronze categories.

The criteria include energy and water efficiency, waste management programmes and staff education and engagement initiatives.

Developed in collaboration with Dubai’s hospitality sector, the new stamp is designed to accelerate efforts towards empowering the tourism sector to achieve its sustainability goals and support the UAE’s NetZero 2050 initiative.

The accreditation process will be overseen by a committee of senior industry professionals, with the initiative designed based on global best practices.

Nominations for hotel establishments to obtain the stamp will begin on August 3 and end on August 31.

"Supported by Dubai’s vibrant hotel industry, this initiative is a strategic step towards achieving our goal of making Dubai a leading destination for global travellers seeking the ultimate sustainability experience. By supporting businesses and encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly practices and reducing their carbon footprint, we are not only safeguarding the environment but also promoting sustainable growth," said Yousuf Lootah, Acting CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance sector at the DET.

The ‘#Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp’ will feature a three-tier scheme with categories ranging from Gold, Silver and Bronze. Nominations for hotel establishments to obtain the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp will begin on 3 August, 2023 and end on 31 August, 2023.…

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 24, 2023

The DET's sustainability strategy has paved the way for innovative initiatives including the Carbon Calculator, a mechanism to help stakeholders and partners identify cost saving opportunities and manage the transition to sustainable practices.

Dubai Can, a citywide initiative, focuses on promoting the use of reusable bottles and encouraging people to refill.

Since its inception in February 2022, Dubai Can has successfully reduced the use of the equivalent of more than 10 million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles and led to the installation of 50 water fountains throughout the city.