Dubai recognises 153 hotels with Sustainable Tourism Stamp, marking 118% growth

UAE – The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has awarded 153 hotels with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp in its second cycle, an increase of 118% from last year’s 70 recipients, underscoring the hospitality sector’s commitment to sustainability.

The DST Stamp awards are distributed across three tiers: gold, silver, and bronze.

Winners were announced at an exclusive ceremony held on 26 February at Atlantis The Royal.

Notably, 18 hotels earned the gold tier; among them were prominent names such as 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.

In addition, 64 hotels achieved silver certification while 71 received bronze.

These recognitions were based on rigorous assessments conducted by independent third-party evaluators as part of the Dubai Government Excellence programme, ensuring that each establishment met the highest standards outlined in the 19 Sustainability Requirements.

Launched in July 2023, the DST Stamp recognizes hotels that demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainable practices.

This initiative supports Dubai’s ambitious environmental agenda and vision for a greener future.

By evaluating hotels against 19 stringent sustainability criteria, including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and staff engagement, the program establishes a robust benchmark for environmental performance in the hospitality sector.

Alignment with Broader Sustainability Goals

The DST Stamp initiative is fully aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, reinforcing efforts to drive innovation, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the emirate’s role in global sustainability.

It also supports key objectives within the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, aimed at consolidating Dubai’s status as a leading global destination for both business and leisure.

Moreover, the initiative complements other DST projects, such as the Carbon Calculator platform, which aids hospitality stakeholders in managing carbon consumption, formulating reduction strategies, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.

Complementary Initiatives and Future Outlook

Beyond certification, DST backs sustainability movements like Dubai Can, which has saved over 30 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles since February 2022 through its Refill for Life campaign.

Additionally, the DUBAI REEF project, the world’s largest single purpose-built reef development, and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, aimed at expanding green spaces and enhancing coastal areas, further underscore the commitment to sustainable tourism.

Together, these initiatives set a new standard for environmental stewardship in Dubai’s hospitality industry.

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