Exciting News From Abu Dhabi

I have just returned from an exciting week in Dubai where I participated in a panel on sustainability at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC). During the panel we learned more about the very exciting Masdar project in Abu Dhabi, an ambitious US$22 billion project that aims to be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city. It is so important that these type of initiatives can be showcased in this fast growing region and AHIC has played an important part in making sure that sustainability is on the program since the conference began.

For the first time, I moderated a panel at the Asia Travel Mart. It was exciting to hear about the Six Senses Zighy Bay resort in Oman. Not only have they created a resort which completely blends in with the traditional architecture of the region, but they desalinate and produce their own still and sparkling water. You can imagine how pleasing it was  to hear this news after comments in my last blog.

I was also pleased to catch up with Ed Fuller, president of Marriott International and a tireless supporter of sustainability, especially in his role as chairman of the International Tourism Partnership. As the number of international chains opening hotels in the Middle East and Asia continue to grow, the leadership role of champions such as Ed is so important.