The adoption of the UN sustainable development goals in hotels in Dubai.

This article examines the implementation of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within 4- and 5-star hotels in Dubai, focusing on the hospitality sector’s role in advancing sustainability. Findings from qualitative interviews with hotel sustainability managers reveal a predominant emphasis on environmental initiatives—such as energy savings, water conservation, recycling, and reducing single-use plastics—while awareness and integration of the full range of SDGs, including social and economic dimensions, remain limited. Challenges identified include high initial investment costs, brand perception concerns, and insufficient stakeholder education, particularly regarding the SDGs. The study recommends enhanced management commitment, dedicated sustainability departments, improved tracking and communication of sustainability efforts, and stronger government incentives to foster comprehensive and transparent adoption of sustainability practices in the hotel industry.