The DTCM had launched the first-ever Dubai Green Tourism Award in June 2009 as part its commitment towards sustainable tourism and incorporate best environmental practices in the tourism sector.         

Through the pioneering award programme, DTCM wants the stakeholders to demonstrate a firm commitment towards reducing the impact of their business on the environment. Hotels and hotel apartments were invited to participate in the programme and their business practices were assessed for a wide range of environmental, economic and social issues, including energy saving, nature conservation and community involvement.

Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director Media Relations and Business Development, who opened the judging session, said: "We are providing an opportunity to the tourism industry to keep pace with changing patterns and to demonstrate that tourism sector is acting and committed to green initiatives. Tourism sector fuels Dubai economy and the whole idea is to inspire and encourage tourism industry stakeholders."   

A total of 79 applications were submitted for the debut edition of the award. About 200 hotels from three, four and five stars and deluxe hotel apartments were eligible to compete for the annual recognition programme.

Out of this, the award committee selected 33 hotel establishments for the site visits after the scrutiny and assessment of their submissions under the two-tier evaluation criteria. 

A six-member judging panel comprising of experts from various organisations completed the evaluation of submissions and shortlisted 18 hotels and hotel apartments to select the winners.

The panel held its meeting over two days at the DTCM Head Office recently. The award sponsors are EcoVentures, M.Can, InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City, and Philips.