Can Your Hotel Earn Gold in Dubai’s Eco-Friendly Initiative?

10x Industry

Mokshita P.
10x Industry
Published:

Can Your Hotel Earn Gold in Dubai’s Eco-Friendly Initiative?

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism launches its 2024 Sustainable Tourism Stamp, honouring hotels excelling in sustainability. Applications open until September 15th, with results announced January 2025.

Hey, did you hear about the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp? The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has just launched the second round of this initiative to recognise hotels that are really going above and beyond in their sustainability efforts. The stamp was first introduced last year, and it's part of Dubai's push to become a top global destination for sustainable tourism.

So, here’s how it works: the stamp comes in three levels – gold, silver, and bronze. Hotels apply by showing how well they meet DET’s ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’. These requirements cover a lot of ground, like improving energy and water efficiency, managing waste better, and educating guests and staff on sustainability.

The application window just opened today, and hotels have until September 15th to apply. The winners will be announced in January 2025. The first cycle in 2023 had 278 hotels apply, and 70 of them earned the stamp – with 11 getting gold, 28 silver, and 31 bronze. It’s great to see so many hotels committed to these eco-friendly practices.

Yousuf Lootah, who heads DET's Environmental Sustainability & Social Responsibility Committee, said that this stamp isn't just a badge of honour but a big part of Dubai’s broader goals for sustainability. It's all about showing off the city’s dedication to becoming a greener, more sustainable place to visit, live, and work.

Hotels like Rove Expo City and Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk have already shown how valuable this stamp is. Rove Hotels used the process to refine their operations and find new ways to be sustainable, while Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk proudly shared that their Gold Tier award was a testament to their commitment to sustainable luxury.

This initiative ties into larger global goals like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. It also supports the Dubai Can movement, which is cutting down on single-use plastics and pushing forward with ambitious marine projects like Dubai Reef.