Dubai to recognise sustainable tourism champions
As part of its sustainable tourism drive, Dubai is set to honour champions of the sector at this year’s inaugural Sustainable Tourism Awards.
The awards programme, which covers 20 main categories, will recognise hotels and individuals who are adopting tangible measures to contribute to enhanced sustainability within the Emirate’s tourism sector. Establishments can enter the awards via the Dubai Sustainable Tourism website. Nominations will close on 14th September, winners will be announced at a ceremony in mid-November.
The awards criteria have been designed to meet the challenges outlined in Dubai’s Carbon Abatement Strategy; issued by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, this commits to reducing carbon emissions by 16 per cent by 2021. The awards also support the UAE’s Green Growth Strategy that aims to build an economic system that has sustainability at its core. These initiatives in turn, are in line with Dubai Plan 2021 and Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030.
Thirteen awards will recognise hospitality establishments that have adopted sustainable practices in their daily operations, while the remaining seven awards will recognise individuals who are true champions of sustainability. Winners of the seven special awards will be leaders and teams who truly embody the sustainability principles of DST, and who have inspired remarkable changes within their organisations.
Adjudication of the awards will cover both strategic and operational initiatives, which will be benchmarked against standards set by highly qualified subject matter experts representing various entities. This process will be supervised by a respected jury panel of industry experts.
Along with a trophy, winners will enjoy a number of accolades and benefits; these include being highlighted as ‘Dubai’s Preferred Sustainable Hotel’ within publications, opportunities to partake in further DST-certified sustainability training, and access and invitation to take part in sustainability thought leadership platforms.
Dubai Tourism is implementing its Dubai Sustainable Tourism initiative in collaboration with partners including Etihad ESCO, Dubai Carbon, Emirates Environmental Group, Emirates Wildlife Society – WWF and Emirates Green Building Council as well as the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, DEWA and Dubai Municipality as strategic partners.