Dubai Tourism partners with four environmental entities in its Dubai Sustainable Tourism Initiative

WAM -- Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) is partnering with four locally-based environmental entities to begin its Dubai Sustainable Tourism Initiative, DSTI, aimed at positioning the emirate as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations.

As part of the initiative, Dubai Tourism has signed separate Memorandums of Understanding with Etihad ESCO, Dubai Carbon, Emirates Environmental Group and Emirates Wildlife Society - WWF, to strengthen collaboration and jointly support more sustainable industry practices that benefit the hospitality industry and community.

The DSTI, which evolved from the Dubai Green Tourism Awards launched in 2008, is a regional trendsetter in environmental conservation practices, with its free 12-step guideline offered to stakeholders in the hospitality sector and designed to significantly lower carbon emissions.

Commenting on the agreement, Ahmed Khalifa Al Falasi, CEO, Corporate Services and Investments, Dubai Tourism, said, "The signing of MoUs with major players in the field of environmental conservation represents a crucial step in our tourism initiative, which is inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into a sustainable city. Dubai Tourism is proud to have pioneered this local initiative to encourage our stakeholders in the hospitality sector to contribute towards environmental sustainability, and ultimately a flourishing green economy, that will help ensure a healthy emirate for future generations.

"As the initiative is a cornerstone of tourism development in the emirate, we would like to express our appreciation for the wholehearted support extended by these four partners, as it touches the heart of our sustainability strategy, which revolves around the key pillars of innovation and collaboration. We are confident that other environmental groups will join the initiative, and together we aim to prove that we can help make a difference," he said.

Waleed Salman, Chairman of Dubai Carbon, added, "We have to ensure that green practices are being adhered to by all stakeholders. We, at the centre, believe that our partnership with Dubai Tourism will bring significant improvements in consumption patterns and help organisations to take positive actions to go green."

Also, Ali Al Jassim, CEO, Etihad ESCO, notes, "We are pleased and excited to be able to contribute to the initiative by helping Dubai hotels save electricity and water to make them more sustainable and efficient."

Additionally, Ms. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson, Emirates Environmental Group, said, "We are delighted with this collaboration with Dubai Tourism to help strengthen the sustainability agenda in the tourism sector within Dubai."

Representing EWS-WWF, Ms. Laila Abdullatif, Deputy Director General, noted, "We are excited to be partnering with Dubai Tourism to foster more sustainable practices within the tourism sector in Dubai. The initiative will bring us closer to UAE Vision 2021, supporting the government in turning its ambitious plans into reality through scaling up sustainable development and efficient resource management."

WAM/AAMIR