Emirates Hotels & Resorts, United Arab Emirates

winner, Conservation Award 2010

Launched in 2006, Emirates Hotels & Resorts (EH&R) is Emirates Airline's premier hospitality management division. EH&R's philosophy centres on the two most critical global environmental issues: declining bio-diversity and emissions reduction. Our resorts implement large-scale projects aimed at bio-diversity protection through habitat rehabilitation, wildlife protection, and the reintroduction of threatened species into scientifically managed, protected, reserves.
This conservation-based philosophy has been successfully showcased through Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, UAE, which opened in 1999. Al Maha was directly responsible for proposing, and now managing, the surrounding 225 km2 Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR). The largest formally protected conservation reserve in the Gulf, the DDCR is internationally recognised by the United National Environment Programme (UNEP) and is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The same conservation-based philosophy was replicated at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia's Blue Mountains, which opened in October 2009. The resort occupies just 2% of a 4,000-acre conservancy reserve, which is undergoing habitat rehabilitation after 100 years under agriculture. The only resort in recent history to receive permission to be built adjacent to a World Heritage Area, Wolgan is the first hotel in the world to be internationally accredited as carbon neutral.
Currently in pre-construction, Cap Ternay Resort & Spa in the Seychelles will follow the same conservation-based approach.

Judges' Verdict
Funding and working in conservation for more than a decade, EH&R has demonstrated leadership in raising awareness about sustainability in a region of the world where environmental best practices have often had give way to relentless development schemes and resource restrictions. EH&R introduced a holistic conservation philosophy, managing to legislate its conservation efforts, which led to the establishment of the DDCR in 2004. Protecting 4.7% of Dubai's landmass, this project showcases conservation on a national scale. In addition, EH&R invests in ongoing collaborative research in all its destinations and implements architectural designs that not only encompass environmentally sensitive building, but also create an authentic 'sense of place'.

"Emirates Hotels & Resorts is delighted to have been shortlisted by the World Travel & Tourism Council judges for this highly respected Award. To be shortlisted in the Conservation category is a significant endorsement of our original vision, driving the message that tourism and conservation can work together closely to protect indigenous habitats and wildlife. This nomination also recognises the hard work and commitment of our field teams around the world. Our sincere congratulations go to our colleagues and fellow nominees. We wish everyone the very best of luck and look forward to being part of this great occasion in May."
Tony Williams, Senior Vice President, Resorts & Projects, Emirates Hotels & Resorts