A Record 237 Dubai Hotels Have Been Awarded Sustainable Tourism Stamps

A record 237 hotels have been recognised under the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, marking a 55% increase from the programme's previous cycle as more hospitality operators adopt environmental and sustainability measures.

Run by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the initiative recognises hotels that meet a set of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. This year's awards included 22 Gold, 92 Silver and 123 Bronze certifications, all of which remain valid for one year. Since launching in 2023, the programme has grown from 70 recognised hotels in its first cycle to 153 in the second and 237 in the latest round.

Participating hotels were assessed against 19 sustainability requirements covering areas including energy and water efficiency, waste management, responsible sourcing, employee engagement, guest awareness, community initiatives and climate action. Applications underwent independent third-party assessments before being reviewed by a senior jury committee.

According to Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance at DET and Head of the department's Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, the increase in recognised properties reflects the hospitality sector's growing integration of sustainability into day-to-day operations while supporting the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy.

To help hotels improve their environmental performance, DET provides training and digital tools including a Carbon Calculator for monitoring emissions and the Dubai Sustainable Tourism course delivered through the Dubai College of Tourism. The department said the programme will continue to evolve in future cycles in line with Dubai's sustainability and accessibility objectives.