Qatar ‘s long term green vision

The GCC member states have a framework in place to strengthen joint tourism cooperation. This year, the GCC Tourism Capital committee officially announced Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026.

Doha was selected following a comprehensive strategic bid submitted by Qatar Tourism. The bid outlined the State of Qatar’s long-term vision for tourism, showcasing how Doha is a destination that balances cultural authenticity, urban innovation, sustainability and quality of life. The bid is also aligned with national priorities that focus on economic diversification, with tourism becoming a key driver of growth.

Under Qatar’s National Vision 2030, sustainability targets include reducing GHG emissions by –25%, reducing 50% of annual food waste, adopting modern environmental technologies, and more.

Where luxury and sustainability align

The country’s luxury hotel market will need to up its game to achieve these goals. Mandarin Oriental, Doha is one property already ahead, becoming the first hotel in Qatar to achieve GSTC Certification (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) in 2024.

Undergoing an extensive and stringent assessment, the hotel demonstrated responsible stewardship of the environment and community. It did this while simultaneously delivering luxury experiences – proof that sustainability and luxury can indeed coexist.

Other hotels are following suit and improving operations to align with the country’s future vision. Four Seasons Hotel Doha was recently awarded the Green Key certification for its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practice.

As part of Four Seasons for Good program, a broader initiative led by Four Seasons worldwide, the hotel’s priorities include energy conservation, water management, sustainable sourcing and community engagement. The aim is to elevate the entire guest journey and equally leave a positive impact on the local environment and community.

New Red Sea beach rules in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has just introduced its first beach operator requirements, as of early January 2026, to manage the surge of tourists to the Red Sea. According to the Saudi Red Sea Authority, the new Beach Operators’ Requirements and Conditions regulatory framework covers areas such as security, public health, environmental protection and infrastructure standards. 

Coastal tourism in Saudi is predicted to grow fast, and the country expects the sector to contribute SR85 billion ($22.6 billion) to its GDP by 2030. With the new regulations in place, any beach or resort operator must now hold a specific Environmental Operating Permit to ensure they aren’t damaging coral reefs. For the first time, there is also strict mandatory zoning that separates swimming areas from water sports to protect both visitor safety and marine life.

The Kingdom’s giga-projects, like Red Sea Global, are being used as blueprints for low-impact luxury. Mandatory energy audits and water efficiency benchmarks will apply even to conventional resorts this year.

A clean cruise down The Nile

Over in Egypt, a clean-up of the River Nile has been in operation since 2020, broken down into three phases in collaboration with VeryNile. Operations have been ramping up with each phase, including recycling systems, education, and investigations of innovations for clean-ups.

Floating restaurants and cruise ships on the Nile must also meet new technical and environmental safety standards to protect the waters going forward.

Egypt’s Chamber of Tourism Establishments and Restaurants recently announced a one-year extension on this. Owners of fixed tourism vessels on the Nile now have until 31 December 2026 to regularise their legal and technical status.

Many older vessels are currently undergoing underwater inspections. If you are booking a Nile cruise this year, you’ll likely see newer or newly renovated eco-vessels that use cleaner propulsion systems to protect the river’s ecosystem.

Greener hotels are on the horizon

The government is also working toward the full greening of its hotel sector by 2030. Currently, about one-third of hotel rooms are eco-certified. Over the coming years, regulations on Red Sea hotspots will tighten, with new limits on construction near coral reefs and turtle nesting grounds.

Luxury hotels in Egypt are supporting the clean-up cause and gearing up for a greener future. Last autumn, the Green Globe certified Fairmont Nile City Hotel partnered with Very Nile for the Clean the Nile Initiative.

The collaboration brought together volunteers, hotel colleagues, and local residents in a shared mission to protect Egypt’s most vital natural treasure. Volunteers participated in a large-scale clean-up along the Nile riverbanks, removing waste and debris to help restore the waterway. Meanwhile, a creative upcycling workshop transformed collected materials into usable items.

The UAE’s plastic ban enters its final phase

As of January 1, 2026, the UAE has entered a more restrictive phase of its single-use plastic ban (Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022), according to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).

While plastic bags were banned previously, the ban now officially extends to plastic plates, food containers, cutlery, and more, meaning the import, manufacture and trade of these single-use consumer plastic products will be prohibited. The MOCCAE says that regulating single-use products is part of a broader vision to promote a circular economy in the UAE.

For travellers visiting the country, you should hopefully see takeaway and hotel dining across the Emirates using entirely biodegradable or reusable materials. Restaurants will face heavy fines for non-compliance.