UAE capital aims to reduce energy, water and waste. Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is spearheading a major campaign to deliver substantial sector-wide energy, water and waste reduction by the end of 2010.

Under its industry-leading Environmental, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) for the emirate�s entire tourism sector, ADTA is targeting 10 per cent energy, 20 per cent water and 20 per cent waste-to-landfill savings over the coming year.

�These ambitious targets are aimed at improving the environmental performance of hotels so that they are in line with, if not better than, the world�s greenest,� says Nasser Al Reyami, ADTA�s Tourism Standards Director.

The initiatives have been rolled out in a series of EHSMS seminars and workshops to help stakeholders - hotels in particular - kick-start programmes aimed at meeting the 12-month targets. The seminars have introduced delegates to EHSMS, as well as outlining how organisations can develop and audit an individual entity system. �We have received a tremendous response to the initiative from more than 130 representatives from the emirate�s 113 hotels and hotel apartments,� says Al Reyami. �Participants have been extremely positive about the initiative, viewing it as a significant investment in the hotel sector.� ADTA�s EHSMS is the first in the world developed to encompass an entire tourism sector.

�Traditionally EHSMS has been applied only at an entity level,� says Al Reyami. �Our system covers all environmental, health and safety aspects of hotels, hotel apartments and tourism operators within the emirate and requires each of the entities to develop their own systems. �The initiative helps fulfil ADTA�s regulatory obligations under the Executive Council�s Environment, Health and Safety decree of June 2009 and is essential in helping to achieve the authority�s vision of promoting a globally recognised, outstanding and sustainable tourism destination. In taking this initiative we recognise the Authority�s responsibility to the government and community to ensure the sustainability of the industry we serve.�

ADTA has pledged to support its hospitality sector throughout the entire EHSMS project implementation.

�We will provide subsidised training workshops to help those in the hospitality industry develop their own systems,� says Al Reyami. �The requirements have a solid business outcome for the entire tourism sector. They will boost standards, lift Abu Dhabi�s appeal as a pleasant and safe place to visit and deliver substantial ROI for accommodation providers as it increases their business.�

The EHSMS roll-out has been given an enthusiastic welcome by stakeholders. �This is a fantastic ADTA initiative,� says Eva Lowela Moraca of Vision Hotel Apartments. �Everyone is now starting to realise the importance of EHSMS. This is a big step for all hotels and tourism sector partners and it is an essential move forward.�

Some participants say EHSMS issues are now involved in many guest enquiries.

�There are a number of our guests who express concern for the environmnent and they often put forward suggestions,� says Nicola Donato of Platinum Hotel Apartments. This shows it is an issue and that working together for a better environment can benefit the hotel business.�

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About ADTA: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) was established in September 2004. It has wide-ranging responsibilities for building and developing the emirate's tourism industry. These include destination marketing, infrastructure and product development, and regulation and classification. A key role is to create synergy in the international promotion of Abu Dhabi through close co-ordination with the emirate's hotels, destination management companies, airlines and other public and private sector travel-related organisations.

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