The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism launched two new sustainability training courses on September 16, 2026, through the Dubai College of Tourism’s Dubai Way platform. One course focuses specifically on the new 27 Sustainability Measures, while the second provides broader training on sustainable tourism practices.
The latest framework builds on the 19 Sustainability Requirements that have formed the foundation of Dubai’s sustainable tourism programme since 2021. The updated system expands the number of mandatory standards from 19 to 27, with the future cycles of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp set to assess hotels against the expanded framework.
For visitors, the development matters because sustainability is increasingly being incorporated into the operational side of accommodation, covering areas that affect how hotels manage energy, water, waste, purchasing, employees, guests and community relationships.
What the 27 Measures Cover
The expanded framework covers several practical areas of hotel operations. These include energy and water efficiency, waste management, responsible sourcing, employee participation, guest awareness, community initiatives and climate-related action.
The training programme has been designed to help hotel employees understand the updated requirements and apply them within daily operations. The approach places education alongside standards and awards as one of the central elements of Dubai’s sustainable tourism strategy.
The Dubai Sustainable Tourism initiative itself operates around four broad pillars: programmes, education, standards and awards. The framework is therefore not limited to certification, with training and operational tools also forming part of the system.
Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp Expands Its Reach
The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp provides a recognition system for hotels that demonstrate compliance with the sustainability requirements. The programme was introduced in 2023 and has expanded significantly since its launch.
In July 2026, DET recognised 237 hotels during the third cycle of the DST Stamp. That represented a 55 percent increase from the 153 hotels recognised in the previous cycle and more than three times the 70 hotels recognised during the programme’s first cycle.
The latest group included 22 Gold, 92 Silver and 123 Bronze recognitions. Hotels were assessed by independent third-party assessors, with the results reviewed and approved by a senior jury committee.
For travellers choosing accommodation in Dubai, the DST Stamp can provide an additional reference point when comparing hotels that have undergone the programme’s sustainability assessment.
Sustainability Becomes Part of the Hotel Stay
The measures extend beyond visible environmental initiatives. Dubai’s sustainability requirements address operational areas such as energy consumption, water management, food management, waste, employee training, guest education and community engagement.
DET also operates a Carbon Calculator that enables hotels to track consumption and emissions across areas including electricity, water, district cooling, liquefied petroleum gas, landfill waste, recycled waste, fuel and refrigerants.
The tool allows participating hotels to monitor their resource use and identify areas where consumption can be reduced. This creates a connection between sustainability reporting and everyday hotel management.
What Travellers Can Expect Across Dubai
Dubai’s hospitality landscape includes luxury resorts, city hotels, beachfront properties, serviced accommodation and properties close to major attractions. The expanded sustainability framework applies within the broader hotel sector rather than being limited to one type of accommodation.
Travellers staying around Downtown Dubai can combine hotel accommodation with visits to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Dubai Opera. Along the coast, properties around Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah provide access to beaches, restaurants, water-based activities and leisure attractions.
Visitors can also build itineraries around cultural and heritage areas such as Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and Al Seef, while desert excursions provide another part of Dubai’s tourism offering.
Getting Around Dubai
Dubai’s tourism infrastructure makes it possible to combine different parts of the city during a single stay. Dubai International Airport is the principal international gateway, while the Dubai Metro connects major districts and attractions along the Red and Green lines.
Taxis, buses, trams and private vehicles provide additional options for reaching hotels, beaches, shopping districts and entertainment venues. Visitors staying near a Metro station can use the network for several major sightseeing journeys, while taxis remain practical for destinations outside the immediate rail network.
Training Supports the Next Stage
The new 27-measure training course is available through the Dubai Way platform from September 21, 2026. DET said the programme is intended to help hospitality workers understand the updated requirements and turn them into practical measures within hotel operations.
The timing follows the third cycle of the DST Stamp, which demonstrated the expanding number of hotels participating in Dubai’s sustainability recognition system.
For Dubai’s tourism sector, the updated framework places greater emphasis on measurable hotel practices while maintaining the existing focus on training, operational standards and recognition. For visitors, it adds another layer to the information available when considering accommodation and responsible travel choices across the emirate.
