Who Owns Atlantis Resorts?

Atlantis properties have implemented sustainability initiatives focused on marine conservation, waste reduction, and environmental responsibility. The sustainability programs are operated independently by each entity, as there is no shared corporate structure between the Bahamas and international properties.

Atlantis Dubai, operated by Kerzner International, has launched the Atlantis Atlas Project, a sustainability initiative focused on environmental conservation, community engagement, and responsible tourism. The project includes investments in renewable energy, waste reduction programs, and marine habitat protection. The company has committed 500,000 dollars in green initiatives to enhance environmental performance across the Dubai properties.

The announced Atlantis The Royal in the Maldives is being designed with an eco-conscious approach. Kerzner International and Assets Group have stated the resort will blend into the natural landscape and celebrate the ocean environment. The Maldives property will include sustainability features in its design, though specific details have not been published.

In marine conservation, Atlantis maintains the Dolphin Cay marine habitat at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, serving as both an educational attraction and a facility for marine life. The Dubai properties feature The Lost Chambers Aquarium, which includes marine education programs. However, animal welfare organizations have raised concerns about keeping dolphins in captivity and offering commercial swim-with-dolphins programs.

Atlantis properties have implemented waste reduction programs focused on eliminating single-use plastics, enhancing recycling, and reducing food waste. The company has invested in energy-efficient systems and water conservation technologies, though the scale of water consumption at integrated resorts with large water parks remains a sustainability challenge.

Neither Atlantis entity is a Certified B Corporation. Neither publishes comprehensive sustainability reports aligned with GRI or SASB standards. Kerzner International, as a private company, does not publicly disclose environmental metrics including carbon emissions, water usage, or waste generation data.

Atlantis properties, particularly the Dubai resorts operated by Kerzner International, have received recognition in the luxury hospitality industry.

• Forbes Travel Guide 2026: Atlantis Dubai ranked number 2 in the global integrated resort rankings, moving up from number 6 in the prior year
• Forbes Five-Star Awards (2025 and 2026): Atlantis The Royal earned Five-Star recognition for the second consecutive year
• Forbes Four-Star Awards (2025): Atlantis The Palm earned Four-Star recognition for the fourth consecutive year
• World Travel Awards: Multiple category wins for luxury resort experiences and water park innovation
• TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards: Consistent recognition for resort facilities and guest experiences

The awards reflect the Dubai properties' positioning in the ultra-luxury segment. The Bahamas property has received less recent industry recognition, partly reflecting its age compared to the newer Dubai developments.

Atlantis properties face regulatory scrutiny and public controversy related to environmental impacts, marine life practices, and development in sensitive locations.

The most significant controversy involves Kerzner International's partnership with the Robinson family to develop a resort at Pakala Beach on Kauai, Hawaii. In January 2025, Kauai County moved to revoke decades-old development permits for the 250-unit resort project, arguing that changing conditions and long-term inaction no longer justified the entitlements. The Robinson family, Kauai's largest private landowner, partnered with Kerzner to revive the dormant project, sparking intense local opposition. Residents and environmental advocates argue that Pakala Beach represents one of Kauai's last undeveloped shorelines and should remain protected from commercial development.

Environmental concerns include the water consumption required to operate Atlantis resorts, particularly in water-scarce regions like Dubai. The resorts' extensive water parks, marine habitats, and golf courses require substantial water resources. Environmental groups have questioned the adequacy of water conservation measures and the environmental footprint of luxury resort operations in fragile ecosystems.

Marine life controversies involve criticism of Dolphin Cay and marine mammal interaction programs at Atlantis Paradise Island. While the resort promotes its marine conservation and rescue efforts, animal welfare organizations have raised concerns about keeping dolphins in captivity and offering commercial swim-with-dolphins programs. The debate centers on whether marine mammal entertainment programs align with modern conservation ethics and animal welfare standards.

Development controversies include scrutiny of luxury resort expansion in environmentally sensitive coastal areas. The announced Atlantis The Royal in the Maldives and Atlantis Jeddah in Saudi Arabia will both require careful environmental management. The Maldives property, spanning 1.37 million square meters, will need to address concerns about coral reef damage and coastal impact. The Jeddah property is part of a larger government-backed development aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 tourism strategy.

Regulatory compliance includes oversight from environmental agencies regarding water usage permits, coastal development regulations, and marine life protection standards. Atlantis must navigate complex regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions with different environmental standards.