The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Certificate (DST), which contributes to Dubai's clean energy goals and the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), was awarded for the second time this year.  In 2023, 70 hotels were awarded the certificate, which increased by 118% to 153 hotels this year. In Dubai, 18 hotels received gold category certificates, while 64 received silver and 71 received bronze certificates. The DST certificate was awarded to hotels with the highest level of compliance with the “19 Sustainability Requirements” of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has awarded 153 hotels with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Certificate. This year, 153 hotels were awarded the certificate, up 118% from 70 hotels last year. This increase reinforces Dubai's commitment to prioritizing sustainability in the hospitality sector and the city's growing reputation as a sustainable destination.

First awarded in July 2023, the DST Certificate recognizes hotels that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainable practices in line with Dubai's ambitious environmental goals and vision for a green future. Hotels are assessed against a comprehensive set of '19 Sustainability Essentials' covering areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and employee engagement. The certificates, which offer a three-tier award system in gold, silver and bronze categories, were awarded at a special ceremony held at Atlantis The Royal on February 26.

The DST document initiative contributes to clean energy targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 2030, while also aligning with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. This document also supports the goal of making Dubai a global hub for business and leisure.

Judged on their 2024 performance, 18 hotels, 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, were recognized in the gold category, while 64 hotels received silver and 71 hotels received bronze awards. These hotels were rigorously assessed by independent auditors as part of the Government of Dubai's Excellence Program, certifying that their sustainability initiatives meet the highest standards of DET's '19 Sustainability Requirements'.

Yousuf Lootah, CEO of DET Corporate Strategy and Performance and Chairman of DET's Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, said: “We are proud of the growing number of hotels that have been awarded the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Certificate. The success of this initiative is a testament to our city's visionary leadership and reinforces our strategic commitment to make the hospitality sector a global benchmark for sustainable tourism. The support of our stakeholders and partners plays a vital role in driving this change and allows us to make significant strides towards our sustainability goals. Congratulations to all winners and thank you to all other nominees for their commitment to sustainability. This is an important step towards making the city the best place to visit, live and work, in line with Dubai's wider environmental goals and Agenda D33. Together, we are building a greener, more resilient Dubai and ensuring that this city remains a vibrant, liveable and attractive destination for generations to come.”

Kelly Timmins, Executive Director of Sustainability and Marine Animal Operations at Atlantis Dubai, said: “We are delighted that Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal have been awarded the Gold DST Certificate. This award demonstrates our commitment to responsible and sustainable hospitality. Sustainability is at the heart of our operations and through the Atlantis Atlas Project, launched in 2021, we strive to conduct business in a way that benefits both people and the planet. Through the four pillars of the Atlantis Atlas Project - “Responsible Business”, “Education & Awareness”, “Conservation & Animal Welfare” and “People & Culture” - we encourage our employees and guests to engage in meaningful sustainability efforts. The '19 Sustainability Essentials' set by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism provide a solid framework for us to continuously improve our environmental practices.”

Peter Roth, General Manager, Jumeirah Al Qasr and Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf: “Sustainability is at the heart of our operations. We are proud to have received the Gold DST Certificate from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. This award reflects our commitment to keeping Dubai at the forefront of global efforts in sustainable tourism.”

Pam Wilby, General Manager, Multi-Facility, Grosvenor House and Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa: “We are delighted to receive the Gold DST Certification. We are focused on delivering more sustainability-oriented services while providing our guests with unforgettable experiences. It validates our commitment to integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of our operations.”

Valid for one year, the DST Certificate emphasizes the importance of hotels continuously improving their sustainability efforts. Hotels with this certification are pioneers in green hospitality, while setting an example for other hotels to follow.

The DST Certificate contributes to the UAE's goals of achieving carbon neutrality, promoting innovation and reducing carbon emissions in line with the Net Zero 2050 Strategy. The Carbon Calculator platform is supported by sustainability initiatives such as Dubai Can and projects such as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. DST supports sustainability movements such as Dubai Can, which has reduced the use of 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles by more than 30 million through its Refill for Life initiative since February 2022. It has also launched the world's largest single-purpose artificial reef development initiative with the DUBAI REEF project. The sustainable tourism strategy also includes doubling the size of green and recreational areas, ensuring that nature reserves and rural natural areas account for 60% of the emirate's total area, and increasing the number of public beaches.