Dubai awards record 237 hotels with Sustainable Tourism Stamp

Dubai: Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has awarded a record 237 hotels in the third cycle of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp, recognising their commitment to sustainability and responsible hospitality practices. The latest edition of the programme recorded a 55% increase compared to the 153 hotels recognised in the second cycle and more than triple the 70 hotels honoured when the initiative was launched in 2023. The growth highlights the hospitality sector's increasing focus on sustainable tourism and supports the UAE's broader commitments to sustainable development, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Award categories The third cycle concluded with: 22 Gold awards 92 Silver awards 123 Bronze awards The awards were presented to hotels that demonstrated excellence in meeting DET's sustainability requirements. The assessment criteria cover environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas, including: Energy efficiency Water conservation Waste management Responsible sourcing Employee engagement Guest awareness initiatives Community programmes Climate action measures Independent assessment process Hotels participating in the programme underwent a comprehensive evaluation conducted by independent third-party assessors. Final results were reviewed and approved by a senior jury committee to ensure transparency, consistency and compliance with DET's 19 Sustainability Requirements. Awarded hotels retain their designation for one year, encouraging continuous improvement and long-term sustainability across the hospitality sector. Supporting Dubai's sustainability goals Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance at DET and Head of the DET Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, said the initiative reflects Dubai's commitment to environmental stewardship. “Guided by our city's visionary leadership, the DST Stamp was introduced in 2023 to champion sustainable practices and set new benchmarks for excellence in environmental stewardship, simultaneously contributing towards meeting the UAE's Net Zero 2050 goals,” he said. Lootah added that the strong increase in recognised hotels demonstrates how sustainability is becoming embedded in day-to-day operations across Dubai's hospitality industry. He noted that the DST Stamp provides travellers with a trusted and independently verified benchmark for responsible hospitality while enhancing the competitiveness of Dubai's tourism sector. Tools and training for hotels The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp forms part of DET's broader sustainability strategy aimed at supporting the tourism sector's transition towards a low-carbon and resource-efficient future. To help hotels meet sustainability targets, DET provides several support initiatives, including: A Carbon Calculator that helps hotels measure and reduce emissions while identifying cost-saving opportunities. The Dubai Sustainable Tourism course on the Dubai Way platform, delivered by the Dubai College of Tourism to build sustainability expertise across the sector. DET said further enhancements to the programme are expected in future cycles as Dubai continues to advance its sustainability and accessibility goals. Hotels that did not receive recognition in this year's cycle have been encouraged to continue improving their sustainability performance and participate in future editions of the programme.