ATM explores food waste reduction to drive circular tourism
As travel companies face a growing array of challenges, from operational inefficiencies to increasing demand for sustainability, food waste has surfaced as an unavoidable issue within the travel and tourism industry.
During the 'What a Waste! How to Better Manage Food Waste in Tourism' session on the Future Stage at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, experts highlighted how operational inefficiencies, shifting consumer expectations, and the growing demand for sustainable business practices reshape hospitality management.
Delegates learned that two critical areas, food waste and energy generation, offer immediate opportunities for companies to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits.
Enas Sobhy Ali, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Tadweer, discussed how hotels can drive food waste initiatives: 'I believe that one of the key challenges that facing in the hospitality industry is the disconnection between operation and impact. As the priority for the hospitality industry is customer satisfaction, this can lead to overproduction and significant food waste from hotels. One of the most effective and simplest ways to address this is to start introducing waste auditing and enhancing the system for recycling bins.'
According to the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024, the world wasted an estimated 1.05 billion tonnes of food in the combined retail, food service and household sectors.
Out of the total food waste in 2022, 60% happened at the household level, with food services responsible for 28% and retail for 12%, underscoring the urgent need for more efficient and sustainable food waste practices.
Speakers highlighted that reducing food waste can drive a circular economy in the hospitality sector. Additionally, new models for sustainable energy generation are assisting operators in lowering their carbon footprints. The session also offered practical solutions for hotel owners, operators, and investors eager to incorporate environmental stewardship into their main business strategies.
Dr Amal Albedwawi, Senior Food Safety Specialist, UAE Food Bank, said: 'As the UAE Food Bank, the main challenge we face when it comes to rescuing and recycling food from hotels and hospitality entities is the many different management approaches within the industry. Each hotel operates separately from one another, so we need to explain the merits of recycling food waste to each manager individually. We try to make them understand that we work closely with the Food Safety Department to ensure that the participating hotels will not undertake any risk by participating in our food bank programmes."
Reflecting the broader ATM 2025 theme of enhanced connectivity and innovation, the Future Stage continues to host transformative discussions on technology and entrepreneurship. Elsewhere on today's agenda, Cassie Kozyrkov, CEO of Kozyr, delivered an address entitled 'AI Adoption: From Buzzwords to Business Strategy', exploring how travel businesses can successfully leverage artificial intelligence to drive growth and innovation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Syyaha
5 days ago
- Syyaha
Huawei and Emirates Collaborate to Launch HarmonyOS 5 Smartwatch App, Ushering in a New Era of Seamless, Smart Travel
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 29, 2025 — In a significant step towards redefining the digital travel experience, Huawei and Emirates have announced the global launch of Emirates' HarmonyOS 5 smartwatch app. The launch underscores the close collaboration between the tech giant and the world's largest international airline, reinforcing their shared commitment to innovation, customer-centric technology, and enhanced travel convenience, particularly for the Chinese market. Following the MoU renewal between both parties at the 2025 Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, Emirates becomes one of the first global airline brands to integrate its services with Huawei's next-generation HarmonyOS 5 operating system. This move marks a pivotal milestone in the partnership between two global leaders, reflecting a shared ambition to elevate the travel experience through connected, intelligent solutions. The new Emirates HarmonyOS 5 smartwatch app is designed to make travel planning and in-flight services more intuitive. From real-time flight updates and itinerary overviews to mobile boarding pass, the app allows Huawei smartwatch users to seamlessly access Emirates services at a glance. Integrated directly into Huawei's device ecosystem, the app benefits from HarmonyOS 5 Services, delivering instant access, seamless cross-device continuity, and an AI-enhanced user experience — all without needing to open or download third-party applications. 'Partnering with Emirates is a testament to our commitment to revolutionizing the digital landscape,' said Mr. William Hu, Managing Director of the Consumer Business Group for Middle East and Africa Eco Development and Operation 'The launch of the Emirates smartwatch app on HarmonyOS 5 is a milestone in delivering smart, personalized, and immersive travel experiences. By combining Huawei's technological innovation with Emirates' premium customer service, we are redefining how users engage with global travel brands—right from their wrists.' 'Huawei's expertise in building seamless smart ecosystems enables Emirates to connect with travelers across key markets, particularly China, in powerful new ways,' added Orhan Abbas, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (Far East) at Emirates. 'With the new Emirates smartwatch app on HarmonyOS 5, we are enhancing real-time engagement and unlocking smarter, more personalized journeys for our customers, further strengthening our global reach and service excellence.' The collaboration also includes joint efforts to enhance and optimize the Emirates App on HUAWEI AppGallery to ensure improved performance and stability across all Huawei smart devices, co-promote key campaigns such as Emirates' upcoming route launches to Shenzhen and Hangzhou in July to amplify reach within the Chinese market, and develop co-created content and integrated marketing initiatives tailored to digitally savvy travelers across the MENA region and mainland China. Available now on Huawei smartwatches, the Emirates app serves as a seamless extension of the airline's digital services, offering a tailored experience built for convenience and real-time engagement. This launch marks yet another milestone in Emirates and Huawei's groundbreaking collaboration, reaffirming their commitment to future-forward travel experiences powered by AI, ecosystem synergy, and data-driven innovation.
Syyaha
18-05-2025
- Syyaha
BWH® Hotels Significant Middle East Growth Stands Outat Arabian Travel Market Dubai 2025
BWH Hotels recently concluded a successful week of announcements at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai, showcasing the company's strategic direction in the Middle East, new hotel signings, and Media One Hotel, Dubai, a cutting-edge WorldHotels™ Crafted collection property. 'Presenting our substantial Middle East growth plans at this year's ATM was a proud moment for BWH Hotels,' said Wytze van den Berg, Vice President EMEA, BWH Hotels. 'With 18 hotels currently open and 20 more signed, we are well on our way to reaching 70 properties by the end of 2027. These signings showcase the growing demand for a trusted international hospitality brand, like BWH Hotels, that understands local nuance, designing each property to meet evolving traveler expectations while supporting local communities and development goals. We are deeply committed to shaping the future of hospitality in the area.' Prominent signing announcements at ATM included a WorldHotels Luxury collection hotel and a WorldHotels Residences property, both located in the new market of Batumi, Georgia, as well as a Best Western® Residence in Kutaisi, Georgia. The WorldHotels Luxury property, to be named Grand Life, will be developed in partnership with premier Georgian real estate developer European Village. Scheduled to open in 2027, the hotel will be the first luxury city hotel in Batumi and the ninth property in the WorldHotels Luxury collection. BWH Hotels also showcased one of its most dynamic WorldHotels Crafted collection properties—Media One Hotel, Dubai. This cutting-edge hotel is renowned for its bold design, sustainability initiatives, and immersive guest experiences. Media One Hotel has received accolades, including the WorldHotels Performance Excellence Award 2025, a Great Place to Work UAE 2025 certification, and is a Green Key Certified Hotel, further cementing its position as a standout destination in Dubai. Amid this rapid expansion, BWH Hotels is proud to partner with Almosafer International Travel & Tourism Company, one of Saudi Arabia's leading travel brands. This collaboration enhances Almosafer's access to BWH Hotels' global portfolio of 18 distinctive brands across more than 100 countries and territories, providing travelers with improved booking efficiency, availability, and competitive rates.
Biz Bahrain
13-05-2025
- Biz Bahrain
DANAT Showcases Bahrain's Timeless Pearl Heritage at Arabian Travel Market 2025
The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) proudly participated in the Arabian Travel Market 2025, held over four days at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the theme 'Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow's Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity'. This prestigious event served as a strategic platform to present Bahrain's distinctive cultural narrative, with a particular focus on its enduring heritage of natural pearls. Through its dedicated stand, DANAT showcased the Kingdom's deep-rooted history in pearls—traditions that are inseparable from Bahrain's national identity. A key highlight was the live demonstration of the traditional oyster shucking, which drew significant interest from attendees of various nationalities. Visitors gained an immersive insight into the intricate craftsmanship that historically underpinned Bahrain's maritime economy, highlighting the lasting beauty and cultural authenticity of its traditional practices. Commenting on DANAT's participation, CEO Mrs. Noora Jamsheer stated: 'We are honoured to represent the Kingdom of Bahrain and its pearl heritage at one of the region's most distinguished and internationally recognised travel and tourism exhibitions. The Arabian Travel Market provides an exceptional platform to convey the richness of Bahrain's cultural traditions—particularly those rooted in natural pearls and fine jewellery—firmly anchoring them within the narrative of national tourism.' 'Our participation in international platforms of this calibre contributes meaningfully to advancing Bahrain's position as a distinguished destination for heritage tourism. At DANAT, we play an active role in preserving and showcasing the Kingdom's cultural wealth, particularly its renowned pearling legacy.' Mrs. Jamsheer said, 'The strong interest and engagement witnessed at our pavilion reflected widespread appreciation for the educational insights and live demonstrations delivered by our team. In parallel, we engaged in constructive dialogue with travel and tourism stakeholders to explore prospective partnerships that support the growth of heritage-oriented tourism experiences.' Mrs. Jamsheer further noted that this initiative aligns with DANAT's central role in advancing the national strategy to revitalise the pearl industry. It also reflects the Institute's broader objective of reinforcing Bahrain's global status as a hub for natural pearls and a key player in heritage tourism.
