Abu Dhabi: getting bigger and greener for 2010

In line with hosting the upcoming World Green Tourism Conference in December 2010, Abu Dhabi has officially announced its commitment to a 10% energy reduction, as well as a 20% cut in both water usage and waste-to-landfill.

Such a drastic reduction will make Abu Dhabi hotels some of the “greenest” in the world.

Through a series of stakeholder workshops and seminars to over 130 representatives from the emirate’s hotels, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority is kickstarting the initiative to meet the less-than-12-month timeline.

“Participants have been extremely positive about the initiative, viewing it as a significant investment in the hotel sector,” said Nasser Al Reyami, director of Tourism Standards for Abu Dhabi. “The requirements have a solid business outcome for the entire tourism sector. They will boost standards and lift Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a pleasant and safe place to visit.”

“Traditionally EHSMS has been applied only at an entity level,” says Al Reyami. “Our system covers all environmental, health and safety aspects of hotels, hotel apartments and tourism operators within the emirate and requires each of the entities to develop their own systems.

“The initiative helps fulfil ADTA’s regulatory obligations under the Executive Council’s Environment, Health and Safety decree of June 2009 and is essential in helping to achieve the authority’s vision of promoting a globally recognised, outstanding and sustainable tourism destination. In taking this initiative we recognise the Authority’s responsibility to the government and community to ensure the sustainability of the industry we serve.”

ADTA has pledged to support its hospitality sector throughout the entire EHSMS project implementation. “We will provide subsidised training workshops to help those in the hospitality industry develop their own systems,” says Al Reyami. “The requirements have a solid business outcome for the entire tourism sector. They will boost standards, lift Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a pleasant and safe place to visit and deliver substantial ROI for accommodation providers as it increases their business.”

World Green Tourism Conference

The congress will educate those new to the concept of green tourism, explaining the importance of responsible travel and the challenges inherent in such policies. The event will confront businesses and governments to address their present travel policies, as well as demonstrating case studies and success stories from around the region and internationally.

Presentations will come from regional and international industry experts highlighting solutions and initiatives already available, as well as discussing the future and innovation that will drive the sector in years to come. The focus of the conference is education, presenting a learning platform for all interested in this growth area, but it is also a place for those looking to develop green tourism policies, projects and technologies to meet face to face.

The 3 day event will feature topics including: planning and implementing a green tourism infrastructure, promoting ecotourism, financing sustainable tourism, creating policies and guidelines, investment opportunities in green tourism and reducing the carbon footprint of tourism.

For more information, visit www.worldgreentourism.com.