DUBAI, U.A.E.—The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has launched an initiative to reduce carbon emissions (CO2) in the region’s hospitality industry by 20 percent by the year 2011. The launch is together with the Dubai Green Tourism Award which will be in line with World Environment Day. The initiatives are all part of the department’s sustainable tourism agenda for the emirate.
The Dubai Green Tourism Award, to be presented in December 2009, is expected to attract 200 hotels from three, four and five stars and deluxe hotel apartments that are eligible to compete for the annual honors.
The initiatives were announced at a press conference held recently at the InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City. It was addressed by Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM executive director media relations and business development, Ms. Shaikha Al Mutawa, DTCM director business development, and Mr. Majid Saqr Al Marri, DTCM director of hotels classification.
Major Push Toward Sustainability
“The programs are part of the department’s efforts to introduce best practices to improve the service standards and excellence in the tourism industry,” said Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman. “This is a major initiative designed to encourage and acknowledge the significant efforts of the emirate’s tourism industry towards sustainable tourism.”
The department, recognizing the issues associated with global warming, has undertaken as one of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR) the initiative to reduce by 20 percent carbon emissions within the hospitality sector by 2011. The initiative focuses on conservation of natural resources and sensible use of energy, water and gas.
The initiative is in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, to turn Dubai into a green and environmentally responsible community. Environment conservation and protection has been emphasized in the Dubai Strategy Plan 2015.
Program’s Primary Objectives
The main objectives of the initiative are to increase awareness about global warming and CO2 emissions and energy usage in the tourism industry, encourage environmental practices in the hospitality industry, introduce new initiatives that highlight the importance of CSR programs and develop awareness and educational culture within the hospitality sector about sustainable tourism.
Mr. Majid Saqr Al Marri, DTCM director of hotels classification, gave a presentation about the Ms. Shaikha Al Mutawa, DTCM director business development, said that by embracing sustainability initiatives, Dubai hotels can gain a competitive edge that would undoubtedly have a positive impact on like-minded tour operators.
In Dubai, the average hotel produces 6,500 tons of CO2 emissions annually and the size of the carbon footprint produced by all hotels in Dubai is estimated to be the equivalent of 60,000 round-trip flights between Dubai and London.
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