Pioneering Sustainability with Hospitality in Sharjah

Sustainable tourism may be a new vision for Sharjah, but two hotels in Sharjah have already demonstrated the possibilities of delivering environmental and social benefits without sacrificing quality and guest satisfaction.

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah (an HMH property) and The Chedi Al Bait (a GHM property) have been leading the way in Sharjah in terms of sustainability. These hotels have dedicated leadership committed to maintaining a quality hotel experience while also reducing environmental impact and supporting social and cultural initiatives. Want a weekend away with low impact? Sharjah also offers numerous camping beaches where you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

Start with monitoring

Both hotels recognize the importance of environmental monitoring, as the saying goes, ‘what gets measured, gets managed.’ Coral Beach uses comprehensive tracking systems to measure energy and water usage and waste production. They can then determine if there are inefficiencies to reduce or are any irregularities to fix. The hotel also collaborates with Emirates Environmental Group to manage certain types of waste, like electronics and oil, reducing the amount that goes to landfill and promoting recycling.

Celebrating heritage

The Heart of Sharjah is a historic site consisting of preserved and restored souqs, galleries and museums. The Chedi Al Bait hotel is embedded within the Heart of Sharjah and is a stunning mix of modernization and preservation. Buildings and rooms that used to belong to the Al Midfa family were carefully restored to maintain the original walls and fixtures, while upgrading the structure to appeal to modern travellers. The hotel even has a museum showcasing the history of Sharjah and the Al Midfa family. Thus, when staying at The Chedi Al Bait, you become immersed in the culture of Sharjah.

Innovation over plastic

Travellers are used to finding single-use plastic water bottles in their hotel rooms, however, The Chedi Al Bait has replaced these with reusable glass bottles filled with water filtered on-site. Both still and sparkling water are available, and the branded glass bottles are a sustainable option that does not diminish the luxury experience. Similarly, Coral Beach is preparing to deploy a similar model, giving guests refillable, filtered water instead of relying on single-use. Considering the size and guest reach of these two hotels, this innovation will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste created.

Employees are essential

Coral Beach prides itself on employee engagement and training, which has led to a low staff turnover rate. The hotel launched an initiative called ‘Be Green, Go Green’ to encourage employees to take positive action in their communities. The hotel has organised beach clean-ups, food drives, and tree-planting events. This commitment to environmental and social causes instils a sense of ownership in their staff, creating a culture of sustainability that is felt throughout the establishment.

Besides hotel options, tourists seeking sustainable accommodation in Sharjah can explore camping in the desert or on a few of the beaches along the East Coast of Sharjah during the winter. Fall asleep to the sound of waves as you immerse yourself in nature. Camping can be one of the lowest impact forms of tourism, just make sure to pack up completely when leaving. These pristine beaches deserve to stay that way and we can all help by taking away our plastic and rubbish to be properly disposed of or recycled. For those looking for a luxury camping experience while still wishing to enjoy a sustainable stay, Moon Retreat is a unique glamping site in the desert, perfect for stargazing and visiting famous Fossil Rock.

The journey to sustainability has begun

These hotels have begun implementing sustainability principles in their practices, but the journey to sustainable tourism is never over. Hotels can set goals for themselves to be zero-waste or energy-neutral, for example, by installing solar panels. As new sustainability technologies are developed, hotels are well suited to adopt and implement innovations since they invest heavily in infrastructure and maintenance of their properties. Innovativeness can set hotels apart and keep guests coming back again and again.

Chedi al Bait and Coral Beach Resort demonstrate that implementing sustainable practices in Sharjah is possible and can positively impact the environment, empower staff and maintain quality. Are you inspired to become more sustainable?

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