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Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Ras Al Khaimah Waste Management Authority set goal of increasing recycling to 75% of all waste
Ras Al Khaimah - UAE - Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), which develops the emirate's tourism infrastructure and oversees its domestic and overseas promotions, has collaborated with Ras Al Khaimah Waste Management Authority (WMA) to launch new waste management standards for hotel and tourism establishments across the emirate.
The new standard, based on international best practices, aims to increase waste recycling within the emirate's hotels from the current four per cent to 75 per cent by 2021. The move is part of Ras Al Khaimah's efforts to achieve goals set out in the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda, which includes nation-wide criteria on increasing the contribution of clean energy and minimising waste.
"This move will engage all our hospitality providers to go green and keep our emirate clean - the aim is to significantly cut waste being sent to landfill. This is a great initiative towards sustainable tourism and greener practices among the emirate's hospitality and tourism sectors," said Haitham Mattar, CEO, RAKTDA.
This is the first time that RAK TDA has rolled out such an initiative. The Authority has worked closely with WMA to ensure guidelines and tourism establishments effectively adopt the new standards. By the end of 2017, hotels and other establishments are required to recycle a total of 15 per cent of their waste. Targets for the following subsequent years have been set at 30 per cent and 50 per cent, before achieving its goal of 75 per cent in 2021.
As part of the roadmap in achieving targets set by the two authorities, RAK TDA has already begun guiding hotels and tourism establishments through the updated mandatory standards across the emirate.
The standards cover areas such as waste collection processes, minimum separation guidelines, implementing segregation across all departments of the establishment, as well as the creation of a Green Ambassador within all tourism stakeholders.
Assigned Green Ambassadors will be responsible for coordinating waste management activities, educating colleagues and will serve as the principal point of contact between the tourism entity, RAK TDA and WMA. Green Ambassadors will also be tasked with developing annual roadmaps covering the individual waste management goals their specific establishment aims to achieve, setting waste prevention targets, and establishing reduction and recycling quantities and percentages. The initial roadmaps will presented to RAK TDA and WMA on 30 October this year.
"By implementing these new standards Ras Al Khaimah is taking a firm step in reaffirming the emirate's position as a sustainable destination. There are already great examples being exercised by individual entities, and by aligning all establishments to the same standards, we can work together in achieving our goals," Mattar added.
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About Ras Al Khaimah
One of the world's fastest growing tourism destinations, Ras Al Khaimah boasts a rich culture and long-standing history dating back 7,000 years. The Emirate boasts an array of archaeological sites and breathtaking natural vistas, from golden sand beaches, awe-inspiring terracotta dunes and a green belt of date palms to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE.
To learn more about Ras Al Khaimah, visit us at:
· www.facebook.com/visitrasalkhaimah
· www.youtube.com/visitrasalkhaimah
· https://twitter.com/raktourism
About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA)
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. In order to achieve target growth of one million visitors by the end of 2018, the authority aims to develop the emirate's tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Ras Al Khaimah TDA has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the emirate's tourism and hospitality industry.
Follow Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority on twitter: @RAKTourism
For further information, please contact:
The MCS Action PR team
+971 (4) 390 2960
RAKTDA@actionprgroup.com
Neda Carrillo
Director of Corporate Communications & Public Relations
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
mediarelations@raktda.com
© Press Release 2016
