237 Hotels Awarded Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal as Certification Grows
Dubai awards 237 hotels the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal in its third cycle, marking significant growth for the emirate’s sustainable hospitality drive.
Dubai has awarded the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal to 237 hotels in the initiative’s third cycle, reflecting a 55% increase from the 153 hotels recognised in the previous round. The expansion, which follows the scheme’s 2023 launch when 70 properties were certified, marks a rapid uptake of sustainability measures across the city’s hotel sector. The certification process evaluates hotels against 19 sustainability requirements covering environment, society and governance.
Third cycle shows substantial year-on-year growth
The third cycle’s 237 certified hotels include 22 gold, 92 silver and 123 bronze seals, according to the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai. This distribution highlights a broad spectrum of achievement, from leading-edge sustainability practices to properties taking important initial steps. The one-year validity of the seal is designed to encourage continuous improvement and annual reassessment.
This round represents more than triple the number of awardees since the scheme began, underscoring an accelerating trajectory for sustainable hospitality in Dubai. Officials say the upward trend demonstrates industry-wide integration of sustainability into daily operations rather than isolated projects.
Assessment process and governance standards
Hotels awarded the seal underwent a rigorous independent assessment carried out by external evaluation experts. A high-level committee then reviewed and ratified the final results to ensure transparency and alignment with the 19 defined sustainability criteria. The criteria span energy and water efficiency, waste management, responsible sourcing, staff engagement, guest awareness programmes, community initiatives and climate action measures.
The Department emphasised that audits and committee scrutiny are integral to maintaining the scheme’s credibility and to providing travellers with a reliable, independently verified sustainability mark. The annual renewal requirement further motivates hotels to sustain and upgrade their practices.
Industry implications and competitive dynamics
The seal serves as an independently endorsed standard that helps travellers identify responsible hospitality options and encourages healthy competition within Dubai’s hotel market. Hotels that achieve gold, silver or bronze status gain market recognition that can support guest acquisition and corporate partnerships focused on sustainability. The programme is expected to raise the bar for operating practices across the sector as more properties seek certification.
Hoteliers who did not secure the seal in this cycle were urged to continue their sustainability efforts and to apply in future rounds. The Department noted that the programme’s growth reflects both a widening scope and deeper adoption of sustainable policies among hoteliers across the emirate.
Leadership comments and alignment with national goals
Yusuf Lootah, Executive Director of Strategy and Corporate Performance and Chairman of the Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee at the Department of Economy and Tourism, said the seal was launched in 2023 under guidance from Dubai’s leadership to advance sustainable practices. He linked the initiative to the UAE’s broader climate targets, including the country’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Lootah highlighted that the marked increase in certified hotels indicates a genuine commitment by the hospitality sector to integrate sustainability into routine operations. He also framed the initiative as part of Dubai’s wider sustainability strategy led by the Department of Economy and Tourism.
Practical focus areas for certified hotels
Certified hotels demonstrated measurable improvements across technical and social areas, including reduced energy and water consumption, enhanced waste-management systems, and responsible procurement practices. Several properties also implemented staff training programmes and guest-awareness campaigns to embed sustainability in both workforce culture and visitor experiences.
Community-oriented projects and climate resilience efforts were included among the assessed measures, reflecting an expanded understanding of hospitality’s role in supporting local development and environmental stewardship. The Department has encouraged hotels to treat the seal as a platform for ongoing innovation rather than a one-off accolade.
Dubai’s third cycle of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Seal reinforces the emirate’s positioning as a regional leader for sustainable tourism practices. The programme’s strict assessments, annual renewals and public recognition mechanisms are designed to accelerate measurable improvements across hospitality operations.
The Department of Economy and Tourism said it will continue to broaden participation and outreach, inviting hotels that were not certified in this cycle to refine their sustainability plans and reapply in future rounds. The sustained growth of the seal is expected to contribute to Dubai’s environmental and social objectives while offering travellers clearer guidance on responsible accommodation choices.