Joanna James
Whether you’re heading to the Middle Eastern shopper’s paradise for some serious retail therapy or a weekend holiday, there’s more than one way to travel sustainably when visiting Dubai. Here are 8 tips to help tourists enjoy a guilt-free stopover in dynamic Dubai.
Although most tourists rely on taxis and car rentals to beat the heat when getting around Dubai, eco-conscious travellers can cut down fuel consumption by using public transport options instead. Hopping on the metro, local bus service and tram network can not only provide a more authentic holiday experience but also allow visitors to travel around the city without incurring an environmental cost.
One of the easiest ways to minimise the carbon footprint of your desert vacation is to select an eco-friendly resort in Dubai as your accommodation provider. Whether you choose a suite at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort or any other base, it’s important to check the green certifications ( LEED, Green Key etc) of the resort of your choice to verify its commitment to sustainability.
While shopping and spending time in the city’s iconic malls are among the top things to do in Dubai, nature lovers will find that there’s also a host of eco-tours that can educate and entertain travellers while also supporting local ecosystems. From desert safaris and scuba diving excursions to unforgettable birdwatching expeditions, the options are truly limitless.
Despite the large number of international food chains and fine dining restaurants occupying Dubai, tourists can take an active role in reducing the “food mile” by choosing to dine on local delicacies. Dubai specialities made with local seafood, spices and dates should take precedence over meals that require rare and locally inaccessible ingredients as the carbon footprint of transporting ingredients from overseas is significant.
As a city synonymous with bargains and big blow-out sales on consumer products, it may be difficult to curb your enthusiasm when shopping in Dubai’s luxury malls and department stores. Shoppers, however, can choose to support local artists and craftsmen by selecting handmade souvenirs, keepsakes and locally produced wares instead of the key chains and I Love Dubai t-shirts mass-produced overseas.
Those who sign up for hiking expeditions, desert safaris and tours of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve must also be careful not to harm or pollute the environments they are exploring. Maintaining a safe distance from animals and refraining from littering natural landscapes on desert tours can go a long way to protecting the natural habitats of countless local species.
With water filling stations accessible in most areas of the city, a reusable water bottle is essential for those bound for this desert travel hotspot.
Reducing the use of plastic shopping bags when indulging in shopping sprees at local souqs or malls will also help the local environment while also ensuring what you buy is safely tucked away in a tote or day bag.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
