EAHQ Issue 2, April 2015

Page 1

EAHQ April 2015 | Edition 02

In this Edition WELCOME FROM GER ALD LAWLESS UAE HOTELS AR E GOING GR EEN IN FOCUS: THE GROW TH OF CHINESE INTER NATIONAL AR R I VALS IN DUBAI ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Q1 2015

Welcome Message from Gerald Lawless Welcome to the second edition of the Emirates Academy Hospitality Quarterly, a publication which is aimed at bringing together both academic and industry data in order to provide a brief snapshot of the latest trends affecting the tourism and hospitality industry in Dubai.

On the back of strong growth in 2014 and a successful EXPO bid the Dubai hotel industry continues to diversify creating a much more competitive and dynamic environment that provides new challenges and opportunities for the industry.

This can include opening Dubai to a range of new niche markets as well as dealing with new legislation and creating more sustainable approaches to managing the destination.

UAE Hotels are Going Green Consumer trends are showing a demand for sustainable management within a hotel’s construction and operation. Tech savvy travelers use social media sites like TripAdviser to check the environmental performance of a hotel they are considering staying at. To meet this demand, some hotels utilize independent environmental certifications to validate their sustainable management initiatives. One of the premier worldwide certifications used today is The Green Globe Certification. Developed specifically for the travel and tourism industry, it assists organizations with improving their economic, social and environmental sustainability measures across more than 380 indicators.

The UAE also boasts the first water park and hotel school in the world, Jumeirah Group’s Wild Wadi and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management to be certified.

In 2013 the Emirates Green Building Council launched an environmental initiative aiming to raise awareness of environmentally friendly construction and encourages using green technologies. Since then governmental mandates have been enacted enforcing new developments to be compliant to various standards including the Estidama Pearl Rating System in Abu Dhabi and the LEED certification in Dubai.

The wave of UAE hotels becoming certified under recognized environmental standards is also in line with the government agenda running up to EXPO2020 which encourages sustainable management of properties.

The shift seen in the industry to operate within a sustainable manner not only appeals to consumer demands but with saving energy and producing less waste, hotels can deliver significant improvements in their bottom line profit.

The region and especially the UAE, has seen a rise in properties obtaining the Green Globe Certification. Out of the 56 certified businesses in the region, nearly 60% are within the UAE.

Angela Anthonisz, Editor Conrad Sokolnicki, Research Associate

MAK ING SENSE OF THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOUR IST MEGA PROJECT IN THE UAE R ESEARCH AT EAHM - THE IMPACT OF DUBAI’S CUR R ENT ACCESSIBILIT Y EN VIRONMENT ON A DISABLED TOUR IST’S INTENTION TO TR AVEL TO DUBAI AUGMENTED R EALIT Y HELPS TO ENHANCE THE TOUR ISM E XPER IENCE

April 2015 | Edition 02


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.