- Achieved a 13.7% reduction in energy and saved 23.2% in water usage
- Diverted 47% of waste from landfills while 14 tonnes of food waste were composted and donated to local farmers
- Dedicated significant investment in local communities, supporting education, infrastructure, and livelihoods
- Successfully restored coral reefs, enhancing marine biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
In 2024, Six Senses Zighy Bay reinforced its position as a leader in sustainable hospitality, making significant strides both within the resort and in the surrounding community. Just a two-hour drive from Dubai, the remote Omani retreat has long been committed to nurturing people, cultures, and ecosystems—an ethos that has guided its operations since opening in 2008.
Last year, the resort’s 389 dedicated hosts, led by the on-site Sustainability Team, worked tirelessly to drive impactful change. Beyond reducing its environmental footprint, Six Senses Zighy Bay invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in local infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and women’s and children’s programmes—initiatives that continue to improve lives in the neighbouring village. These achievements were made possible through the generosity of guests, who contribute 0.5% of the resort’s total revenue to its sustainability fund.
Armand Thieblemont, Sustainability Director at Six Senses Zighy Bay, explains: “Our sustainability efforts focus on two key areas—inside and outside the resort. Internally, we track and reduce our environmental footprint across energy, water, waste, and plastic, while also engaging hosts and guests in the process. Externally, we channel resources into community projects and environmental initiatives, ensuring our impact extends far beyond the resort’s walls.”
Preserving and Regenerating the Local Environment
The resort’s house reef has seen exceptional progress over the past year. Since the launch of its coral restoration programme two years ago, 562 fragments of Acropora and Pocillopora species have matured, fully covering their frames and providing vital shelter for marine life. A particularly striking development has been the natural growth of juvenile corals across the reef, signalling a thriving ecosystem. A new guest activity was also introduced, giving visitors the chance to plant their own coral fragments on the reef. Extra Divers, the resort’s diving partners, send updates every six months, allowing guests to track the impact of their contributions.
To further advance the programme, the Sustainability Team introduced water temperature monitoring devices to assess the resilience of Zighy Bay’s corals to rising sea temperatures. The data collected along with reef surveys will be shared twice a year with the University of Khorfakkan under the leadership of Henrik Stahl, to support research into coral adaptation to climate change, contributing to significant scientific advancements.
Beyond coral restoration, the resort worked closely with local fishermen to remove 41 nets from the ocean, successfully freeing 12 green turtles. Thanks to the expertise of Jasmine, the on-site marine biologist from the Olive Ridley Project, 59 new turtles were identified in the Bay this year, adding to the existing 56. Additionally, 529 guests participated in conservation activities, including turtle talks and house reef surveys, raising awareness about marine protection.
Further strengthening these efforts, 27 resort hosts partnered with the Ministry of Environment to remove 1.7 tonnes of ghost nets from the sea, rescuing 17 turtles in the process. These collective initiatives continue to drive meaningful progress in marine conservation and reinforce the resort’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Promoting Animal Welfare within the Local Community
Six Senses Zighy Bay’s longstanding commitment to animal welfare continued to thrive, with the resort’s Assistant Sustainability Manager, Maher Alriyami, working closely with the local Ministry of Agriculture to lead a large-scale vaccination campaign for the goats of Zighy Village. Now in its third consecutive year, the initiative saw 1,153 goats vaccinated—an increase from 685 in 2023. This rise reflects two significant achievements: a strengthening of trust between the resort, the local community, and government authorities, and a notable recovery in the goat population following the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2022.
Among the most heartwarming stories of the year was the rescue of two donkeys, Lucky and Lola. Lucky was found in early 2023 after surviving a car accident and being abandoned in Dibba. With his condition worsening, the resort’s General Manager, Diletta Guarino, stepped in to provide him with a forever home, made possible through the support of Six Senses ownership. Now fully recovered, he is living up to his name. Lola’s story is equally touching – rescued while unwell, she was brought to the resort’s farm, where she has since made a full recovery and found a companion in Lucky. The pair have become inseparable, sharing a mutual love for carrots and apples.
Guests can now visit Lucky and Lola at the Farm during the newly introduced Hay Day experience, where they can care for the animals, learn to make cheese, harvest fresh organic produce, and enjoy a traditional farmer’s lunch. The experience offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with nature while embracing the simple pleasures of farm life.
Raising the Bar for Sustainable Tourism
For the first time since its opening, Six Senses Zighy Bay underwent a third-party audit by Control Union to verify its adherence to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards. Armand Thieblemont, Sustainability Director at Six Senses Zighy Bay, shares, “This is a fantastic milestone for the resort, validating all our sustainability efforts over the years. We’re especially proud that no non-compliance was observed during the audit, which is the equivalent of the highest passing score.” The GSTC Certification is the gold standard for sustainable tourism, ensuring sustainability claims are measurable and backed by meaningful action, underscoring the resort’s leadership in the region.
Significant progress was also made in reducing environmental impact. Electricity consumption fell by 13.7% compared to 2019 levels, equivalent to taking 932 electric cars off the road for a year, resulting in savings of USD 136,722. Water usage was reduced by 23.2%, saving 33.1 million litres (the equivalent of 13 Olympic-sized swimming pools) and USD 68,890. CO₂ emissions based on scope 1 and 2 were cut by 24%, with 66 guests opting to offset their stays through the resort’s ‘Carbon Free Rate’.
Eliminating single-use plastics remained a priority, with 87% removed from operations and a further 37% reduction in total plastic item purchases achieved in 2024 alone. Waste diversion from landfill reached 47%, while 14 tonnes of food waste were composted and donated to local farmers, thanks to the leadership of Yusuf Isiko, the resort’s Sustainability Supervisor. Amongst other examples, four tonnes of glass were recycled onsite for use in construction and guest activities which led the Resort to be recognized by the United Nations Advisory Board for Zero Waste.
The resort’s very own Dibba Farm continued to play a key role in sustainable operations, supplying 5,054 kilograms of fresh produce directly to guests. A total of 937 litres of fresh goat milk were transformed into artisanal cheese for Six Senses Zighy Bay’s restaurants, alongside 7,670 free-range eggs served at breakfast. Meanwhile, 287,088 water bottles were refilled in villas and restaurants, eliminating the need for single-use alternatives.
These achievements were made possible by the commitment of 389 resort hosts, who engage in ongoing sustainability training and weekly workshops. Guests are also encouraged to take part, with 1,557 joining Earth Lab sessions on glass upcycling, soap-making, and candle recycling in 2024.
The resort’s dedication to sustainability continues to earn international recognition. In 2024, Six Senses Zighy Bay was ranked 45th in The World’s 50 Best Hotels list.
Improving Access to Education for the Next Generation
At Six Senses Zighy Bay, knowledge is seen as the key to positive change. In 2024, the resort invested USD 20,930 to donate seven digital screens to three local schools in Dibba, enhancing lessons with modern technology. Support continued for Dibba School and Sukaina School for Girls, with Maryam Al Shehhi, the resort’s English teacher, delivering over 202 hours of English, Arabic, and sustainability workshops—including a creative session where students transformed old towels into flowerpots.
During the summer holidays, Maryam extended her efforts to 37 children from Zighy Village, offering English classes, sustainability workshops, cooking lessons, swimming sessions, and plenty of playtime. Through these initiatives, the resort is not only empowering the next generation but also instilling a lasting commitment to sustainability.
Empowering Women’s Emancipation in the Region
Launched in 2023, the award-winning initiative Sense of Oman: Through a Woman’s Eyes continues to gain widespread recognition, most recently receiving the Responsible Tourism Award 2024 by Rest of World. Designed to support local female entrepreneurs, the initiative empowers women to establish sustainable revenue streams for their businesses. Since its inception, it has raised USD 61,323, enabling beneficiaries to renovate a school playground and fund preschool teachers’ salaries—directly enhancing the local community.
In 2024, the initiative took a significant step forward. Inspired by the proverb, “Don’t give me fish, teach me how to fish,” to organise a workshop aimed at equipping women with digital marketing skills. During the session, 17 women from the Association learned how to leverage social media to enhance their online presence and boost sales. Given the success of this initiative, plans are in place to offer similar workshops in the coming years, further empowering women with the tools to thrive.
Six Senses Zighy Bay sets the standard for sustainable luxury by seamlessly blending exceptional hospitality with a strong commitment to the environment and local communities. From coral reef restoration to empowering women in the region, the resort’s holistic approach to sustainability goes beyond traditional luxury. Recognised as the World’s Leading Sustainable Water & Waste Innovator at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in 2024 and selected as a global success story for zero waste best practices at a United Nations event, Six Senses Zighy Bay is a true leader in eco-conscious luxury. The resort continues to champion sustainable practices, from marine science collaborations to promoting lasting positive change, all while fostering both people and the planet at the heart of its mission.
About Six Senses Zighy Bay
Six Senses Zighy Bay, located on Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula, is the first Six Senses resort in the GCC, and remains committed to the environment, sustainability, and the community. Inspired by the indigenous Omani culture and its surroundings, the resort has 82 Omani style pool villas built of natural stone and timber, including a newly refurbished three-bedroom beachfront Retreat and four-bedroom beachfront Reserve, which all offer a sense of privacy and seclusion, each with its own infinity-edge pool and own Guest Experience Maker.
With a wide range of restaurants and destination dining experiences, fresh produce from the resort’s own Organic Farm and Organic Garden is used throughout. From a hilltop restaurant 293 meters above the azure waters of the bay, to an intimate wine cellar, regional cuisine in a Bedouin-style setting on the beach, the resort’s chefs work with local farmers and fishermen to curate seasonal menus that cherish local flavours and ingredients.
Many activities and excursions are available on land and in water, in addition to the Six Senses Spa, which has an extensive number of wellness packages and treatments led by the Wellness Director and visiting practitioners, the Dhahab, offering one- or two-night voyages at sea, and the Earth Lab, which clearly communicates the resort’s consumption data and supports with glass, soap and candle making.
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