The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has awarded 153 hotels with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp in the initiative’s second cycle.
This marks a 118 per cent increase from the 70 hotels recognised in last year’s inaugural edition, reflecting the commitment of the hospitality sector in Dubai to prioritising sustainability, and reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a sustainable destination.
The DST Stamp, which was launched in July 2023, recognises hotels that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainable practices, aligning with Dubai’s ambitious environmental goals and vision for a green future.
Hotels are evaluated against a comprehensive set of ‘19 sustainability requirements’, covering areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and staff engagement.
The awards, which feature a three-tier recognition system in gold, silver and bronze categories, were officially announced at an exclusive ceremony, held on February 26, at Atlantis The Royal.
Contributing to broader clean energy targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 2030, the DST Stamp initiative is also in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. As part of the wider DST programme, the recognition is designed to elevate the environmental performance of the hospitality sector.
Rated for their performance in 2024, 18 hotels achieved the gold tier – including Atlantis, The Palm; Atlantis The Royal; Jumeirah Al Qasr; Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf; Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa; and Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai – while 64 earned silver and 71 received bronze.
These hotels underwent rigorous assessments by third-party independent assessors as part of the Dubai Government Excellence programme, ensuring that their sustainability initiatives meet the highest standards set by the DET’s ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’.
“The success of this initiative is a testament to the city’s visionary leadership, and underscores our strategic commitment to transforming the hospitality sector into a global benchmark for sustainable tourism,” Yousuf Lootah, CEO of corporate strategy and performance at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and chairperson of DET environmental sustainability and social responsibility committee, said.
The DST Stamp certification is valid for one year, emphasising the importance of ongoing sustainability efforts and adapting to evolving environmental challenges.
By prioritising sustainability, these hotels are not only leading the way in green hospitality, but also setting an example for others to follow. Hotels that did not receive the DST Stamp this year are encouraged to continue their sustainability efforts and position themselves for future recognition under the initiative.
The DST Stamp is aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy of achieving carbon neutrality, and the associated objectives to drive innovation, reduce carbon emissions, and elevate the destination’s role in global sustainability efforts. The initiative complements other key DST projects like the Carbon Calculator platform, which helps hospitality sector stakeholders and partners manage carbon consumption, develop carbon reduction strategies, identify cost saving opportunities, and shape transitions to sustainable operations.
Additionally, DST supports sustainability movements such as Dubai Can, which has reduced the usage of more than 30 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles since February 2022 through the Refill for Life initiative, and initiated the world’s largest single purpose-built reef development through DUBAI REEF.
The sustainable tourism strategy is also guided by the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan which aims to double the size of green and recreational areas, ensure that nature reserves and rural natural areas constitute 60 percent of the emirate’s total area, and increase the total length of public beaches by 400 percent. Under the 2040 plan, the total space dedicated to hotels and tourist activities will increase by more than 100 percent.
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