VP slams industry's 'tried and tested' approach

Tony Williams, senior vice president, Emirates Hotels & Resorts, UAE criticised the region’s hotel industry for being too slow on the uptake in terms of implementing new technologies in hotel development, which meant it was years behind in terms of green design solutions.

Speaking at yesterday’s World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi he said: “One problem here is embracing new technology. Engineers go for the tried and tested, lowest common denominator approach.

“There’s an element of conservatism in hotel development. The technology available is not being used properly or explored properly.”

Williams, who until recently was responsible for Al Maha Resort, said: “I was laughed at in 1999 on opening Al Maha because we were the first hotel in the country to use solar power.

“But ten years later I think there is only one other hotel here that has it. In this region with so much sun, using solar power is a no-brainer.”

According to Williams, when building the eco-friendly Wolgan Valley resort in Australia, the green design systems used in the property were “changed three times” because research and development in technology is so quick.