The Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai has been awarded the international Green Globe Certification (GGC) following a sustainability audit conducted by Dubai-based consultancy Farnek, GGC’s preferred partner in the Middle East.

Burj Al Arab consists of 202 duplex suites with personal butler service, chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce and helicopter airport transfers.

“We are delighted to receive this prestigious recognition that reinforces our commitment to sustainable practices”, said Heinrich Morio, general manager at Burj Al Arab.

“The certificate is a testament to Burj Al Arab’s dedication to ensuring that green policies are at the heart of our business and that they are an essential part of our long-term business strategy.”

Sandrine Le Biavant, director Consultancy, Farnek said: “For over a decade the stunning sail-shaped hotel has been an iconic symbol of modern Dubai and its flourishing hospitality industry. Now, with the Green Globe award, the Burj Al Arab has been recognised for its seven-star sustainability.”

Burj Al Arab impressed throughout all areas of the operational audit. In particular, the hotel excelled in water usage reduction, grey water recycling, as well as in managing its energy output by regulating room temperature in the suites and carbon footprint.

The hotel’s environmental efforts were also praised.  Its Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project - launched in 2004 in close collaboration between the Dubai Wildlife Protection Office, Jumeirah Group, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory and a team of specialised veterinarians - has helped to return hundreds of sea turtles back into the wild, with many fitted with satellite tags to allow marine biologists further insight into their migratory patterns.

Others areas that came under the scrutiny of the Green Globe audit included health and safety, human resource development, training, procurement and waste management.

Apart from the sea turtle rehabilitation centre, the hotel management team encourages colleague participation in other local community initiatives such as breast cancer awareness, beach clean-ups and mobile phone collections.

Farnek Consulting currently has the rights to utilise the Green Globe brand, covering tourism properties within 20 different countries throughout the Middle East.

Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. – TradeArabia News Service