According to a recent KPMG report, Dubai celebrated a remarkable milestone as it recorded the highest hotel occupancy rate in 15 years, following the conclusion of Expo 2020. This achievement signifies Dubai’s thriving tourism industry and its ability to sustain its momentum even after major international events. But the emirate’s success story doesn’t end there. Beyond soaring occupancy rates, the emirate’s hotels are making substantial strides in the realm of sustainability.

To gain insights into this green revolution, we spoke to Soufiane ElAllam, the Complex Commercial Director of Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection and delved into the group’s innovative approach to enhancing the traveller’s experience. Excerpts below:

Year of Sustainability

2023 has been heralded as the ‘Year of Sustainability’ in the UAE, and Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection is firmly entrenched in the movement. According to ElAllam, the hotel has embraced the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on two crucial aspects:

Health and Wellbeing: Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection is deeply committed to their guests’ health and wellbeing. Their facilities include three well-equipped gyms, personal trainers, tailored fitness classes, swimming lessons, jogging and cycling tracks, and group cycling sessions led by dedicated concierges. For sports enthusiasts, the Al Habtoor Tennis Academy awaits.

Empowering Women: Al Habtoor City takes pride in advocating gender equality and women’s empowerment. Three successful businesswomen, Meera, Amna, and Noora, the daughters of Khalaf Omar Al Habtoor, lead different sectors within Al Habtoor Group. The hotel collection also boasts women leaders who contribute significantly.

Battling Climate Change through Innovation

Energy conservation is a core concern, and the hotel collection has taken steps to reduce electricity consumption. They’ve replaced traditional room lighting with eco-friendly alternatives that consume significantly less energy, resulting in energy savings of 5% to 15%.

Ditching Single-Use Items

By the end of 2023, Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection will phase out single-use plastic water bottles in favor of reusable glass bottles. They’ve already made the shift from plastic takeaway containers and straws to biodegradable options. Additionally, they actively participate in Dubai CAN, a government-led initiative promoting the use of reusable bottles through water filtered fountains.

Digital Transformation

The adoption of digital check-in options aligns with Hilton’s practices, reducing the reliance on paper and plastic. Carbon Neutral Meetings are also on offer, supporting sustainable development projects and carbon emissions reduction.