The hospitality sector in the UAE is driving a new era of sustainable travel, with a wave of diverse and impactful initiatives that go beyond traditional green practices. From pioneering social inclusivity programmes and award-winning conservation efforts to data-led operational efficiencies and rigorous eco-certifications, these hotels are proving that a commitment to sustainability and purposeful luxury can coexist.
Hilton UAE adopts Sunflower Initiative Hilton has launched the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme in the UAE, becoming the first global hospitality operator in the country to implement the initiative across its hotels and corporate offices. The programme enables people with non-apparent disabilities—such as autism, anxiety, or chronic pain—to wear a Sunflower lanyard, pin, or bracelet to discreetly indicate they may require extra support. Hilton has provided specialised training for majority of its team members at participating UAE hotels to recognise the Sunflower symbol and offer guests and colleagues patience, understanding and assistance without language barriers. This initiative highlights Hilton’s commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and creating welcoming environments for all travellers. Mövenpick Al Marjan honoured Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island has been named a winner of the 2025 International Sustainability Awards, recognising its pioneering efforts in integrating eco-conscious practices within luxury hospitality. The resort’s sustainability strategy focuses on innovation, guest engagement, and community-driven initiatives, proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist seamlessly. Key initiatives include zero-plastic operations through in-house water bottling with reusable glass bottles, advanced food waste management using the SYKER digester, which processed 13,000 kg of food waste and offset 32.9 tons of CO₂ in just two months, and guest participation programs such as ‘Stay Green’ and ‘Skip the Clean’, rewarding eco-friendly choices. Community outreach efforts include beach clean-ups, tree planting, partnerships with the UAE Food Bank, inclusive hiring, and the Kilo of Kindness program. These impacts are tracked via Accor’s GAIA2 platform, ensuring measurable results across carbon emissions, water usage, and food waste reduction, reinforcing Mövenpick’s commitment to purposeful luxury. Jumeirah amps turtle rehabilitation Jumeirah marked World Sea Turtle Day 2025 by releasing 72 rehabilitated turtles into the wild, bringing the total released by the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) to over 2,300 since 2004. Among them was Najeeb, an 80kg male Green turtle fitted with a satellite tracker to monitor its journey and migration patterns. This year, the DTRP achieved a major milestone with the rescue of a rare Loggerhead baby, a species not known to nest in the Arabian Gulf, representing an important discovery for marine science in the region. Jumeirah has also expanded its conservation initiatives through a guest-facing coral nursery at Jumeirah Al Naseem, producing 1,400 coral fragments, with 300 transplanted to the sea in collaboration with Ocean Revive. Additionally, Jumeirah supports Dubai Reef, one of the world’s largest reef restoration projects, and leads global marine conservation efforts in Tanzania, Maldives, and Bali, reinforcing its sustainability-driven vision. Green Globe win for Four Points Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road and Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai have renewed their prestigious Green Globe Certification, maintaining Gold Member status, an elite recognition of excellence in sustainable hospitality. The Green Globe Certification is a globally respected standard evaluating hotels on 380+ criteria, including energy efficiency, waste management, corporate social responsibility, and community engagement. “Maintaining our Green Globe Gold status is a proud moment for our teams,” said Karolina Paliszewska, General Manager. “It demonstrates our deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and reflects the daily efforts made to minimise our environmental impact while delivering exceptional guest experiences.” Radisson Hotels renew Green Key Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City and Park Inn by Radisson, Dubai Motor City have once again received the prestigious Green Key Certification from the Emirates Green Building Council, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. Additionally, Park Inn Dubai Motor City has earned the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp for the second consecutive year, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and Net Zero 2050 strategy. The Green Key eco-label recognises hotels that meet rigorous environmental standards, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible operations. Sustainability initiatives at both hotels include solar hot water systems, achieving a 65 per cent reduction in energy use, saving 179,080 gallons of water, and reducing landfill waste by 36,720 kilograms year-over-year. Guest engagement is encouraged through Earth Hour, the “Every Drop Counts” programme, and community campaigns like plastic recycling and can collection drives, reflecting the hotels’ dedication to eco-friendly hospitality and responsible tourism leadership. Rotana renews Ecolab collab Rotana has renewed its 20-year partnership with Ecolab, a global leader in water and hygiene solutions, and added Stella Hospitality to its supplier ecosystem as part of its wider sustainability strategy. The collaboration focuses on reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency across hotel operations. According to Rotana, the partnership has already contributed to annual savings of over 51 million litres of water and the elimination of 24,000 kgs of plastic in the UAE. Key measures include smart resource management systems, recyclable in-room amenities replacing single-use plastics, and the use of Ecolab’s eROI platform, which tracks the environmental and financial benefits of implemented initiatives. With several Rotana properties Green Key certified, the partnership aligns with broader industry trends as guest expectations for sustainable practices increase. The move reflects an emphasis on measurable impact and a data-led approach to integrating sustainability within daily hotel operations.