Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched two new sustainability courses designed to strengthen practical training for tourism and hospitality professionals as the emirate continues to embed responsible practices across its visitor economy.

Developed under the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiatives and delivered by Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) through the Dubai Way platform, the 27 Measures of Sustainability and Dubai Sustainable Tourism courses will provide industry professionals with knowledge and practical guidance to integrate sustainable practices into daily operations.

The courses were announced at Arabian Travel Market 2026, highlighting Dubai’s continued focus on long-term tourism sector development and responsible growth. The initiative supports the emirate’s broader clean energy ambitions, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 2030 and the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which seeks to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for business and leisure.

Education forms a key part of DST’s sustainability strategy, complementing its wider work across standards, awards and programmes. The new courses are intended to help tourism and hospitality professionals understand sustainability principles and apply them across operational areas, strengthening sector-wide performance.

A central component is the updated 27 Measures of Sustainability framework, which builds on DET’s existing 19 Sustainability Requirements. The original requirements have underpinned the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp award programme since its introduction in 2023.

The updated framework raises the number of mandatory measures from 19 to 27, expanding expectations around environmental and social performance across Dubai’s hotels. The measures cover areas including energy and water efficiency, waste management, responsible sourcing, employee engagement, guest awareness, community initiatives and climate action.

Hotels will be assessed against the 27 Measures as part of future cycles of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp. The updated course is designed to support the transition by explaining the new requirements and providing practical guidance on how hotels can implement them across their operations.

Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Head of the DET Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, said: “The 27 Measures of Sustainability framework represents a significant step forward in how we define sustainable hospitality in Dubai. By expanding on our original 19 Sustainability Requirements, it sets a higher benchmark for environmental and social performance and will underpin future cycles of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, ensuring the award continues to reflect the highest standards of responsible tourism. The launch of these two courses ensures hotels and tourism professionals have the knowledge and confidence to apply the updated requirements from day one, supporting a smooth transition to the new framework. Through continued collaboration with industry, we are collectively advancing Dubai’s wider sustainability ambitions.”

The Dubai Sustainable Tourism course takes a broader approach, covering responsible resource consumption, waste management, circular practices and climate action. It also examines the role of the hotel industry and Green Teams in supporting a sustainable tourism ecosystem.

Together, the two courses combine framework-specific training with wider sustainability education, enabling professionals to strengthen operational practices while contributing to Dubai’s sustainability objectives.

The courses are being delivered through Dubai Way, DCT’s online training and engagement platform. Since its launch in 2017, Dubai Way has trained more than 190,000 candidates, delivered over three million training hours and enrolled more than 1,475 establishments. The platform combines self-paced video lessons, interactive activities and assessments to support continuous professional development across Dubai’s tourism workforce.

The new training also complements other DST tools, including the DST Carbon Calculator, which helps hotels monitor and reduce emissions while identifying potential cost savings. The tools are designed to provide hotels with practical resources to integrate sustainability into everyday operations and empower Green Teams and sustainability champions to drive initiatives within their organisations.

The latest measures form part of Dubai’s broader sustainability agenda, aligning with initiatives including the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The programme has also recorded growing participation from Dubai’s hotel sector. In July 2026, DET recognised 237 hotels in the third cycle of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, representing a 55% increase from the 153 hotels recognised in the previous cycle and more than three times the 70 hotels recognised when the programme launched in 2023.

DET said further enhancements to Dubai Sustainable Tourism’s education, tools and sector programmes will continue to be introduced in line with the emirate’s wider sustainability ambitions, supporting the development of a future-ready and globally competitive tourism ecosystem. -TradeArabia News Service