Eco-Conscious Travel on the Rise

Sustainability is now a key factor for travelers in the UAE, with 85% of UAE residents and 80% of Saudi residents saying environmental considerations influence their travel plans, according to Marriott International's Travel Trends Research study.

With over 16 million guests hosted across 1,224 hotels in the UAE in just the first seven months of the year, hotels are stepping up their efforts to align with eco-conscious values.

 

Pioneering Green Initiatives in UAE Hotels.

Water Conservation and Renewable Energy

Marriott hotels are taking bold steps, including:

• Partnering with BE WTR to replace single-use plastic bottles, aiming to eliminate 1.5 million plastic bottles annually.

• Heating guest room water with solar panels and heat pumps at the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, which also chills water for air conditioning.

Jumeirah Hotels have installed onsite water bottling plants and filtration systems, eliminating nine million single-use plastic bottles annually.

Vertical Farming

Reducing food miles and water use, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, JBR introduced a vertical hydroponic farm, producing up to 10kg of fresh produce daily with 90% less water than traditional farming. A second farm at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi aims to grow 12kg of produce daily.

Additionally, food scraps are composted at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, diverting up to 181kg of waste monthly from landfills.

AI Food Waste Tracking

Jumeirah Hotels have implemented AI-powered systems to monitor food waste. At Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, this system saved the equivalent of 50,000 meals last year, reducing food waste by 20 tonnes. Chefs use this data to adjust menus and portion sizes, further cutting waste.

Hilton’s Green Breakfast Initiative, part of a collaboration with the UN and local programs like ne’ma, tackles food waste in breakfast services across 13 UAE hotels. The initiative builds on the success of Green Ramadan, which reduced post-consumer food waste by 61%.

 Certifications and Carbon Neutrality Goals

Accor hotels, including Sofitel Dubai The Palm and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, are undergoing certification by Green Key and Green Globe to meet global sustainability standards.

The group is committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 and eliminating single-use plastics in guest areas by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Hilton has reduced carbon emissions by 44% since 2008 and plans to install 20,000 EV charging stations by 2025.

The Future of Green Hospitality in the UAE

Sustainability in hospitality is more than a trend—it’s a necessity. Hotels in the UAE are not only reducing their environmental footprint but also setting benchmarks for the global hospitality industry. From AI innovations to harnessing solar energy, the UAE is proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist.

As Bryanne Tait, Jumeirah Group's senior director of sustainability, puts it:

“Our purpose as a global luxury hospitality company is to uphold sustainable and inclusive practices across our business, to shape the best possible future where everyone can thrive.”

Whether you’re visiting for leisure or business, you can now stay in hotels that prioritize green initiatives. The UAE’s innovative approach ensures your travel choices contribute to a more sustainable future.