Emirates’ long term commitment to sustainability and the environment through its hotels and resorts portfolio has been rewarded with one of the most prestigious global awards in the travel and tourism industry.

Emirates Hotels & Resorts was honoured with the Conservation Award at the 2010 World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit, held this year in Beijing. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are the WTTC’s highest-profile global accolade, recognising best practices in sustainable tourism development, conservation and bio-diversity protection.

Within the Emirates Group, Emirates Hotels & Resorts (EH&R) portfolio encompasses three major conservation projects spread across three continents: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia and the forthcoming Cap Ternay Resort & Spa in the Seychelles.

Hans Haensel, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Destination & Leisure Management stated: “We are extremely proud to receive this award; it is real recognition for over ten years of valuable work at Al Maha, and more recently at Wolgan Valley, Australia, which has led to the creation of new wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and the protection of endangered species in Dubai.”

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of WTTC said: “The Conservation Award, is one of four award categories, and is awarded to hotels and tourism organisations which have demonstrated that their tourism developments and operations have directly contributed to conservation of natural habitats, biodiversity, and wildlife protection. Emirates Hotels & Resorts is a pioneer in this space and has also clearly demonstrated this through its commitment to sustainable development practices which are also directly linked to the economic well-being of local people and support cultural heritage across all their properties.”

Emirates’ first resort, Al Maha Desert Spa & Resort in Dubai, was designed and built following the principles of environmentally sustainable development. The experience and the technology advances contributed to even greater efficiency, which has continued at the recently opened Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia, which is the first hotel in the world to be certified carbon neutral by an internationally accredited organisation.

Via EPR Network
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