Could some existing sustainable strategies of Spain's “Paradores Nacionales” be successfully transferred to the UAE's historical buildings?

Abstract

Abstract The carried research questioned the feasibility of transferring to UAE historical buildings some of the sustainable strategies pursued by the Spanish Hospitality Organisation named Paradores de Turismo de España, (SMESA), on those areas distinguished by been differentiated and sustainable in operations, financially, socially, historically and environmentally. The objective was to find some available global initiatives, evaluate them holistically as elements of a potential model, for thus confirming that in the UAE a similar hospitality concept could be successful, as well as identifying new ideas to lead the way forward. The data collected was secondary, related to global developments in overall sustainability and particularly in those available research documents related to sustainability within tourism & hospitality industry. This research kept present “Paradores”, (as this organisation is usually named), particularities and existing model. The Spanish company leadership, embedded in their mission, vision and values, creative and sustainable initiatives in environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and governance. “Paradores” is recognised for the recovery and maintenance of heritage buildings together with the environmental preservation of their surroundings. The research found that several global initiatives are creating competitive advantages in the hospitality industry. Also, that the hospitality research on sustainability is not sufficient and require for corporate transparency to be effective. Sustainability must reach beyond cost saving initiates and so practice social and environmentally friendly operations. Resources efficiency, responsible industry, new policies, business innovations and life cycle thinking are a must to transform UAE hospitality and make it more sustainable.