Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has honoured 237 hotels in the third cycle of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp, marking a 55 percent jump from the 153 hotels recognised in the previous cycle and more than triple the 70 properties awarded when the programme launched in 2023.
The latest cycle saw 22 hotels receive Gold status, 92 earn Silver and 123 secure Bronze, with each tier reflecting the level of excellence achieved against DET's Sustainability Requirements. These span environmental, social and governance areas, including energy and water efficiency, waste management, responsible sourcing, employee engagement, community initiatives and climate action.
Every submission underwent assessment by independent third-party evaluators, with results reviewed and approved by a senior jury committee to ensure transparency and consistency. Hotels that earn recognition retain their tier for one year, a structure designed to encourage ongoing improvement rather than a one-time achievement.
Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance at DET and head of its Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, said the DST Stamp was launched in 2023 to set new benchmarks for environmental stewardship and support the UAE's Net Zero 2050 goals. He said the sharp rise in recognised hotels this cycle reflects how deeply sustainability is being embedded into daily hotel operations across the emirate.
The stamp gives travellers an independently verified benchmark for responsible hospitality while boosting the competitiveness of Dubai's tourism sector. Hotels not recognised this cycle are encouraged to build on their progress ahead of future editions.
The programme sits within DET's broader push toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient tourism sector. Supporting tools include the Carbon Calculator for tracking emissions and cost savings, and a Dubai Sustainable Tourism course delivered through the Dubai College of Tourism. DET says further enhancements to the DST Stamp are planned for upcoming cycles.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
