Sylvia Matei, cluster general manager of Holiday Inn & Staybridge Al Maktoum, drives environmental change across two Dubai hotels. Here, she tells us about her work and the sustainable investments that unite environmental responsibility, operational efficiency and purposeful guest experiences.
How do you drive meaningful environmental change across your portfolio through green investments?
Leading two dynamic hotels in Dubai, I view sustainability as both a professional responsibility and a deeply personal commitment. Moreover, as a woman in hospitality, I champion purpose-led initiatives aligned with IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow while tailoring them locally. To that end, we’ve invested in solar-efficient systems, digital check-in platforms and paperless documentation to cut emissions and minimize waste. In addition, our engineering and IT teams contribute by developing forward-thinking solutions that optimize operational efficiency and environmental performance. Ultimately, each green investment is embedded in daily operations, fostering a ripple effect that boosts comfort and conscious guest engagement.
What specific sustainable initiatives have proven both impactful and financially viable?
We have transitioned to digital systems, offering both clear financial returns and measurable environmental benefits for long-term operational success and impact. For example, e-registration and e-signature platforms now manage 70 percent of guest documentation, with a target of 90 percent by 2025. Additionally, bamboo keycards help reduce plastic use, while in-room QR menus and IPTV directories eliminate printing costs and paper consumption. These changes not only reflect shifting guest expectations but also significantly improve operational efficiency across multiple touchpoints within the guest experience. Furthermore, long-term impact is measured through IHG’s Green Engage system, guest satisfaction and awards like the 2024 Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp.
In what ways are you involving your teams and guests in your sustainability goals?
Sustainability drives real change when everyone actively participates, so we empower teams through a Green Team that models eco-conscious behavior daily. In addition, the team launches hands-on projects, such as building outdoor seating areas using creatively repurposed wooden pallets from on-site materials. Meanwhile, our engineering staff conducts regular audits, checking water flow systems and HVAC performance to ensure consistent environmental efficiency. Guests also participate through IHG’s A Greener Stay program, benefiting from energy-saving master switches and seamless, paperless digital check-in systems. Ultimately, by integrating sustainability into the guest journey, we foster collective responsibility and build a community that amplifies our environmental mission.
What barriers do you still face when implementing green practices?
Implementing sustainable practices often meets resistance, whether from budget constraints or the behavioral shifts required to adopt new habits consistently. Therefore, we focus on practical solutions that clearly demonstrate measurable environmental and operational impact over time within our properties. For instance, we refurbish furniture internally rather than discard it, effectively reducing waste while maintaining aesthetic and functional quality throughout. Moreover, we prioritize staff training to ease the transition toward digital systems such as IPTV menus and electronic guest registration platforms. Encouraged by the 2024 Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, we now pursue 2025 certification with renewed determination to exceed current sustainability standards.
