The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has recognised 237 hotels in the third cycle of its Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp, marking a rise in participation as the emirate accelerates its sustainability agenda.

The number of awarded hotels increased by 55% from 153 in the previous cycle and has more than tripled since the programme's launch in 2023, when 70 hotels were recognised.

The latest awards include 22 G, 92 Silver and 123 Bronze certifications for hotels demonstrating excellence in sustainable and responsible hospitality practices.

The DST Stamp recognises hotels that meet DET's 19 Sustainability Requirements, covering environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

Assessment criteria include energy and water efficiency, waste management, responsible sourcing, employee engagement, guest awareness, community initiatives and climate action.

Hotels underwent an independent third-party assessment, with results reviewed by a senior jury committee to ensure transparency, consistency and compliance.

Successful hotels retain their certification for one year, encouraging continuous improvement across the sector.

DET said the growth in recognised hotels reflects the hospitality industry's increasing commitment to embedding sustainability into daily operations while supporting Dubai's environmental, tourism and economic objectives.

The programme also aligns with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy, the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Head of the DET Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, said: “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. The strong increase in the number of hotels meeting the criteria for recognition in this latest cycle of the Dubai DST Stamp shows the commitment at which Dubai’s hospitality sector is embedding sustainability into everyday operations. The continued success of this initiative and the commitment to meeting DET’s 19 Sustainability Requirements also reflects the power of collaborative efforts across the public and private sectors, which continue to propel growth across the wider hospitality sector. We congratulate the latest certified hotels and encourage every hotel in Dubai, whether recognised this year or not, to continue to embrace a culture of sustainability."

Beyond certification, DET supports hotels through practical sustainability initiatives, including a Carbon Calculator that helps properties measure and reduce emissions while identifying cost savings.

The Dubai Sustainable Tourism course, delivered via the Dubai Way platform by the Dubai College of Tourism, also provides industry training to strengthen sustainability expertise.

The DST Stamp offers travellers an independently verified benchmark for responsible hospitality while enhancing Dubai's competitiveness as a sustainable tourism destination.

 DET said further enhancements to the programme are planned in future cycles as it continues to expand in line with the emirate's sustainability and accessibility ambitions and the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). -TradeArabia News Service