Radhika Arapally

Founder of Sustainability Kiosk, UAE

Radhika Arapally is the Founder of Sustainability Kiosk, a platform driving sustainability solutions in the hospitality industry across the Middle East and Africa. A Cambridge-certified sustainability expert, she collaborates with leading hotel brands like Minor Hotels, The First Group, and Millennium Hotels to integrate sustainable operations and ESG-driven commercial strategies. As a speaker, trainer, and podcast host, Radhika champions net zero initiatives, circular economy practices, and responsible hospitality. Her work bridges profitability and environmental impact, positioning sustainability as a business imperative for the industry.

1.How can businesses ensure that their ESG initiatives are not just “window dressing” but are integrated into their core business model and operations?

In the hospitality sector, ESG cannot be a mere marketing tool—it must be embedded in the guest experience, operations, and corporate strategy. Hotels and tourism businesses can ensure genuine ESG integration through:

Sustainable Operations as a Profit Driver: Reducing food waste, implementing energy-efficient systems, and adopting water-saving technologies are not just sustainability measures—they directly improve cost efficiency and profitability margin for asset-owners.

Guest Experience & Brand Loyalty: Travelers today demand authentic sustainability. Hotels that transparently integrate ESG—from carbon-neutral stays to ethical sourcing—see increased guest trust, loyalty, and higher ADR (Average Daily Rate).

Employee Engagement & Training: Sustainability must extend beyond leadership. Housekeeping teams reducing water consumption, chefs optimizing food waste, and front-office teams promoting green guest programs create real impact.

Data-Driven ESG Reporting: Many hospitality groups now use platforms like Hotel Sustainability Basics (WTTC) or The PLEDGE on Food Waste Certification to track progress, ensuring that ESG efforts go beyond greenwashing.

By embedding ESG into daily hotel operations and guest interactions, hospitality businesses can turn sustainability from an obligation into a competitive advantage.

2. How can businesses avoid the trap of focusing too much on ESG compliance, to the detriment of financial performance and innovation?

Hospitality businesses that treat ESG as a compliance checklist risk missing out on new revenue streams and operational efficiencies. The best-performing hotels balance sustainability with financial success by:

ESG as a Revenue Generator: Sustainable hotel certifications (like Green Key, EarthCheck, or LEED) not only help with compliance but also attract eco-conscious travelers, drive direct bookings, and improve investor confidence.

Leveraging Sustainability for F&B Profitability: Menus with locally sourced, plant-forward, and waste-reducing options often increase guest spend and reduce food costs while aligning with ESG goals.

Technology for Impact & Efficiency: Smart room controls, AI-driven energy optimization, and water-saving laundry innovations are examples where sustainability drives both compliance and cost reduction.

Authenticity Over Greenwashing: Hotels should not oversell ESG efforts but instead demonstrate tangible results—like reducing single-use plastics, transitioning to renewable energy, or partnering with local communities for responsible tourism.

Hotels that integrate ESG into their brand positioning and operational efficiency gain a long-term competitive edge, instead of treating sustainability as an obligation.

3. How can the Middle East overcome the challenges of implementing ESG compliance in markets where regulatory frameworks are still developing or lacking?

While ESG regulations in the Middle East are evolving, the hospitality sector doesn’t need to wait for strict compliance rules to drive meaningful change. Hotels and resorts can take the lead by:

Voluntary Commitments: Many hospitality groups, including Minor Hotels, Jumeirah, Rove Hotels are adopting global ESG frameworks ahead of regulation, aligning with COP28 commitments and Net Zero goals.

Local Adaptation: ESG strategies must be tailored to regional challenges such as arid climates zone of UAE. What was once considered sustainable—like installing LED lights—is now a baseline expectation in hotel design. Today, a truly sustainable hotel goes beyond LEDs, integrating solutions adapted to local climatic conditions. For example, the green wall entrance at Anantara Downtown not only enhances the urban resort ambiance but also serves as a resource-efficient sustainability feature, showcasing how hotels can blend aesthetics with environmental responsibility.

Collaboration with Government & Industry Bodies: The UAE’s Dubai Sustainable Tourism initiative, Tourism boards of Abu Dhabi, RAK and Saudi’s Vision 2030 are pushing the hospitality sector to lead in responsible tourism practices and carbon reduction.

ESG Training & Knowledge Sharing: Many hotel groups struggle with ESG implementation due to a skills gap. Training engineers, chefs, and front-line teams in sustainability ensures long-term impact. We have built “HOST ME” Workshops (Hospitality Operations Sustainability Training Middle East) to bridge the gap between practical knowledge and operational emissions reduction. Additionally, we also host Responsible Hoteliers Summit, where we bring hoteliers and solution providers under roof to share the knowledge on best practices and innovation stack for sustainable hospitality.

By proactively aligning with global best practices, the Middle East’s hospitality industry can become a global ESG leader even before stricter regulations are in place.

4. Are Middle Eastern hospitality businesses embracing ESG because of international pressure, or are they genuinely motivated by long-term sustainability goals?

While international investors and travel markets have influenced ESG adoption in the Middle East, there is genuine commitment from within the region. Key drivers include:

Luxury Hospitality’s Leadership Role: Brands like Six Senses, Anantara, and Atlantis have made sustainability a core part of their identity, not just a marketing tool, with innovations in conservation, energy efficiency, and zero-waste dining.

Government-Led Sustainability Mandates: ESG is becoming integral to Saudi’s Vision 2030, UAE’s Green Agenda, and Qatar’s National Vision 2030, pushing hotels to embed sustainability into long-term strategy.

Shifting Guest Preferences: More travelers are demanding authentic eco-tourism experiences, driving higher occupancy rates for sustainable hotels. For example, hotels offering carbon-neutral stays and regenerative tourism attract a growing eco-conscious segment.

Operational Efficiency & Cost Reduction: Hotels that prioritize sustainable procurement, waste management, and smart energy solutions see direct savings, proving that ESG is an economic necessity, not just a trend.

A growing circular economy mindset is evident across the region. Recent standout initiatives include NH Collection The Palm Dubai transforming date seeds into coffee powder, reducing waste and promoting sustainable alternatives. Citadines Metro Central Dubai upcycling 120 kg of discarded wood into functional and decorative elements such as signage, laundry boxes, and tissue holders, reinforcing the shift towards greener hospitality.

While international pressure has played a role in accelerating ESG adoption, the hospitality sector in the Middle East is now proactively embracing sustainability as a business imperative—not just as a compliance measure. This shift is ensuring long-term resilience, profitability, and a more sustainable future for the industry.