EmiratesGBC seminar to put the spotlight on sustainability trends in UAE’s hotel sector on June 17

JUNE 13, 2013| press release

Dubai, UAE; June 13, 2013: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, will put the spotlight on sustainability trends in the UAE’s hospitality sector at a specialised seminar on June 17, 2013.

To be held at Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates Hotel, from 3 to 5:30pm, the seminar will bring together tourism and hospitality experts from across the UAE to discuss the challenges and opportunities in promoting sustainability in the hotel industry.  The dedicated hospitality programme of EmiratesGBC will also be presented and launched at the event, to encourage more hotels to become environment-friendly and promote energy efficiencies.

The key speakers include representatives of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bid Committee, and the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, as well as leading hotel groups . Among the topics of discussion include governmental perspective on the need for sustainability in the hotel sector, and the drivers that shape the sustainability agenda in the region’s hospitality sector.

Adnan Sharafi, EmiratesGBC Chairman, said: “The hospitality sector is a key contributor to the UAE’s GDP, supporting the tourism sector and creating several thousand new jobs annually. Today, the hotel sector is witnessing a fast revival with several new projects being undertaken. This is a strong opportunity to implement greener building practices, while also potentially undertaking the retrofit of existing hotels.

“The sustainability programme that EmiratesGBC has developed will serve as roadmap for the hotel industry in the UAE to strengthen their operational efficiencies vis-à-vis the environment. The EmiratesGBC Seminar underlines our commitment to strengthen our outreach with all our different stakeholders.”

Ibrahim Al Zubi, Head of CSR for Majid Al Futtaim Properties said: “Majid Al Futtaim is a proud pioneer of sustainability, not only in shopping mall development, but also in the hospitality sector. The Company has invested and allocated more than AED 8 million to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of its hotels through smart designs. This resulted in 15 percent reduction in energy and 14 percent in water consumption so far. Currently, six of our Dubai hotels received the ‘Earth Check Silver’ certification, one received ‘Earth Check Bronze’ and another hotel is in the process to get LEED certified.”

The EmiratesGBC seminar is sponsored by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, the leader in the ownership, development and management of ‎shopping malls and complimentary mixed use projects in the MENA region.

The event is open for EmiratesGBC members and non-members, and tickets can be purchased at AED 50 and AED 150, respectively. For more details, call: 04-3468244 or email: events@emiratesgbc.org. Visit www.emiratesgbc.org for more details on the Council and its activities.

EmiratesGBC is currently hosting a membership programme for small and medium businesses in the UAE, to add to its current membership base of over 260 entities representing the entire building and construction industry supply chain.

EmiratesGBC regularly takes part in key conferences and exhibitions to promote sustainable built environments. The Council also hosts a dedicated forum, ‘Focus Day’ that discusses various concerns and topics associated with driving sustainability. In addition, EmiratesGBC undertakes a series of initiatives that facilitates industry dialogue and provides educational resources and information on sustainable practices.

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Note to Editors

About Emirates Green Building Council:

The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) was founded in June 2006, and became the 8th full member of the World Green Building Council in September 2006. EmiratesGBC is an organization that promotes and educates on green issues in the built environment and is the official body for the UAE endorsed by the World Green Building Council. EmiratesGBC currently has around 260 members in the UAE which represents 1000s of individuals interested and involved in Green Building in the UAE and the region. In addition, EmiratesGBC members receive discounts on a number of programmes such as those related to conferences, seminars, training and green building events.

About Majid Al Futtaim Properties:

Majid Al Futtaim Properties is the leader in the ownership, development and management of ‎shopping malls and complimentary mixed-use projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Majid Al Futtaim Properties has changed the face of shopping, leisure and entertainment across the region with twelve world-class malls operating in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt and Lebanon and other projects currently under development in Cairo, Egypt and Beirut, Lebanon. In April 2013, Majid Al Futtaim Properties opened Beirut City Centre, its twelfth mall in the portfolio and first in the Levant region. The Company’s shopping malls continue to witness a steady increase in footfall with more than 150 million visitors in 2012. Majid Al Futtaim Properties has earned numerous accolades and awards from international organisations that have recognised its leadership and the quality of its properties.

Majid Al Futtaim Properties has four flagship shopping malls; three in Dubai and one in Bahrain. In Dubai, Deira City Centre boasts over 370 stores, leisure and entertainment facilities and over 50 restaurants and cafes; Mall of the Emirates houses over 560 international retail brands, including 80 luxury stores and the world-renowned Ski Dubai; and Mirdif City Centre offers visitors a mix of retail, leisure and entertainment options including 465 stores and iFLY Dubai, an indoor skydiving centre.  Bahrain City Centre is the largest shopping, leisure and entertainment complex in Bahrain with 350 international brands including 60 dining options, and features Wahooo!, the region’s first  region’s first indoor- outdoor waterpark.

Majid Al Futtaim Properties also owns nine hotels in the UAE and two in Bahrain, all of which are linked to the company’s shopping malls. The hotels’ strategic proximity to the company’s shopping malls promotes direct access to a wider international demographic and attracts more than 1.2 million guests annually.

The Company is currently developing three master-planned communities.  The Wave, Muscat, a joint venture with the Government of Oman; will combine more than 4,000 beautiful properties, Almouj Golf, Almouj Marina, four premier hotels and new retail, leisure and dining opportunities at a seafront address in the new heart of Muscat.  The 250,000 sq.m Waterfront City development in Beirut, Lebanon, a joint venture with Société Joseph Khoury & Fils Holding SAL, will feature over 1500 residential homes, an office district, shopping mall, 2 international hotels, as well as multiple parks and a marina front promenade. Finally, Al Zahia, developed by Sharjah Holding, a joint venture between the Government of Sharjah and Majid Al Futtaim Properties, will be a fully integrated community featuring a range of villas, apartments and commercial units.

For further information, please contact:

Kelly Home / Mohammed Al Tawil

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller

+9714 4507600

kelly.home@bm.com / mohammed.altawil@bm.com