The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has overcome numerous natural and geographical challenges, transforming dry environments into lush oases and beautiful gardens, all while advancing sustainable infrastructure. Recognized as one of the world's leading tourist destinations, the UAE now proudly promotes itself as a hub for green tourism.
Under visionary leadership, the UAE has placed significant emphasis on green and eco-tourism as a key pillar for enhancing the sustainability of its tourism sector. This commitment aims to preserve natural and cultural heritage while boosting the competitiveness of tourist attractions. Numerous pioneering environmental initiatives and sustainable strategies are in place to promote responsible tourism, foster sustainable interaction with the environment, and embed green tourism principles that consider current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts.
To promote these concepts within the community, the Ministry of Economy launched the fifth edition of the World's Coolest Winter campaign under the slogan "Green Tourism." In collaboration with the National Agricultural Center and local tourism authorities, this initiative encourages community participation in sustainable agricultural practices and stimulates tourist visits to farms and agricultural projects across the seven emirates. This campaign is part of the domestic tourism strategy developed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. It aims to create an integrated tourism system across the country.
Fostering Societal Environmental Awareness
The "green tourism" concept promoted during the World's Coolest Winter campaign fosters societal environmental awareness, showcasing the combination of enjoying the beauty of pristine nature and lush gardens in the UAE while ensuring sustainability and environmental preservation for future generations. Winter tourism experiences in the UAE provide a golden opportunity to raise environmental awareness, highlight ecological attractions, and explore unique natural and historical treasures. These experiences include islands, beaches, gardens, farms, deserts, mountains, biodiversity hotspots, nature reserves, and other stunning destinations.
Additionally, green tourism enhances the UAE's reputation as a global tourist destination that harmoniously blends rich cultural heritage with beautiful nature and advanced infrastructure. The UAE focuses on environmental sustainability, protecting natural resources, and promoting innovation within the tourism industry.
To underscore the importance of green tourism, the UAE has established a legal framework to sustain natural resources and protect biodiversity. It has also supported sustainability transitions across various sectors, reduced desertification and pollution, and reinforced its leadership in showcasing the treasures of nature.
The UAE offers numerous destinations that align with the United Nations’ definition of green or environmental tourism, which includes all forms of nature-based tourism. Here, the primary motivation of tourists is to observe and appreciate both nature and the traditional cultures present in these areas. This form of tourism includes educational elements and mitigates negative impacts on the natural, social, and cultural environments while protecting natural areas that serve as attractions in environmental tourism. Increased awareness of preserving natural and cultural assets is encouraged among both local residents and tourists.
In this context, the UAE has adopted pioneering global trends centered around responsible tourism and sustainability, establishing this culture within local tourist destinations. The country prioritizes innovation and digital transformation in the tourism sector to boost revenues and growth, enhance opportunities for small and medium enterprises, and harness advanced technology applications. These efforts aim to reduce carbon emissions, contributing to the UAE’s goals for climate neutrality by 2050 and supporting sustainable economic development.
Travel and Tourism Development Index: UAE's Achievements
Thanks to its forward-looking vision, the UAE has successfully established key components for the growth of its tourism sector. It now ranks first regionally and 18th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024, advancing seven places from its previous position of 25th globally in 2019. These positive results demonstrate the UAE’s prominent standing on the global tourism map and support the goals of the “National Tourism Strategy 2031,” which aims to elevate the UAE’s status as the best tourism destination in the world by the next decade.
Nature reserves in the UAE are recognized as some of the most attractive eco-tourism destinations, enhancing biodiversity and preserving environmental balance. The UAE hosts nature reserves that account for about 15.53% of the country's total area, which includes marine reserves representing approximately 12.01% of marine and coastal areas, and terrestrial reserves comprising about 18.4% of the country’s land area.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has launched a national project titled “The UAE’s Natural Wonders” to promote ecotourism in the country. This phased initiative aims to enhance various aspects of ecotourism in the UAE.
Relevant authorities within the UAE's tourism sector have initiated several projects to promote green ecotourism and sustainable practices. The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi has introduced three initiatives focused on sustainability in the tourism sector. These initiatives include developing new guidelines for sustainable tourism practices, implementing a carbon emissions measurement system for hotels in Abu Dhabi to estimate their carbon footprints, and conducting energy consumption audits for all hotels in the emirate. These efforts reflect the department's commitment to preserving Abu Dhabi's resources, cultural heritage, and environment for future generations, ensuring that tourists can continue to enjoy the emirate's unique cultural and tourism offerings.
Similarly, the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai has launched 50 pioneering initiatives focused on environmental conservation and sustainability within its tourism sector. These initiatives encompass desert reserves, restaurants, hotel facilities, and tourist attractions that prioritize environmental preservation, along with cultural and awareness activities.
“Dubai Can” Initiative
The “Dubai Can,” the citywide sustainability initiative launched in February 2022 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense of the UAE, aims to raise awareness among various segments of society about the importance of conserving natural resources. It seeks to inspire individuals to change harmful practices that negatively affect the environment, encouraging them to become active participants in creating a more sustainable future and positively contributing to the preservation of wildlife and marine life.
Furthermore, the Dubai Sustainable Tourism initiative mandates that hotels adhere to 19 standards covering a range of sustainability requirements, including sustainable management, performance metrics, and employee and guest training on sustainability. By enhancing sustainability practices within their facilities, hotels will improve Dubai’s economic competitiveness while aligning with the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint.
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is also keen on implementing environmentally friendly practices and establishing sustainability policies within the tourism sector. This includes the smart use of resources to promote green tourism, thereby reinforcing the positive impacts of tourism.
