Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM has announced the official launch of the first-ever initiative to reduce carbon emission (CO2) in the hospitality industry by 20 percent by the year 2011 and Dubai Green Tourism Award which will be in line with the World Environment Day. The initiatives are part of the department's ambitious Sustainable Tourism agenda for the emirate, a sought-after tourism destination in the world. The award, to be presented in December 2009, is expected to attract 200 hotels from three, four and five stars and deluxe hotel apartments who are eligible to compete for the annual honors. The main objectives of the initiative are to increase awareness about the global warming and CO2 emissions and energy usage in the tourism industry, encourage environmental practices in the hospitality industry, introduce new initiatives that highlight the importance of CSR programmes and develop awareness and educational culture within hospitality sector about the sustainable tourism. At a press conference on Wednesday held at the InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City, Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM executive director Media Relations and Business Development, said “the programs are part of the department's efforts to introduce best practices to improve the service standards and excellence in tourism industry. This is a major initiative designed to encourage and acknowledge the significant efforts of the emirate's tourism industry towards the Sustainable Tourism.” He said the initiative focuses on conservation of natural resources and sensible use of energy, water and gas etc. as their excessive use causes degradation in the environment by disturbing the eco balance in the atmosphere. “The department, recognizing the issues associated with global warming, has undertaken as one of its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) the initiative to reduce by 20 per cent carbon emissions within the hospitality sector by 2011,” he added. Shaikha Al Mutawa, DTCM director Business Development, said submission of applications for the award will be accepted until July 7 followed by awareness workshop on June 21, 2009. From July 8 to 22, the evaluation process will be conducted with the awards presentation ceremony to be conducted in December 2009. She said by embracing sustainability initiatives, Dubai hotels can gain a competitive edge that would undoubtedly have a positive impact on like-minded tour operators. Dubai aims to be one of the international tourist and attraction destinations, said Coordinator General of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) Office Ibrahim Seleh. Speaking at a press conference held on Monday evening, Saleh said that DSF, which will kick off on June 11 and conclude on August 14, was a way to achieve that goal. __
