Hotel classification law has come into force in Sharjah from this year, said a top official from Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).

SCTDA Director General Mohammed A. Al Noman confirmed that all the hotel complexes in Sharjah have been classified with effect  from January 1, 2008.

'The hotel sector in Sharjah marked a new era of progress with the implementation of new hotel classification starting from January 1, 2008,' he added. 

SCTDA has finalised the distribution of the classification labels for hotels and hotel apartments.

Hotel categories range from 1 to 5 stars, while the hotel apartments category ranges from Deluxe to standard and Basic categories.

'The implementation date of the law meets the scheduled one, following resolution No.16 of 2007 issued by the Executive Council regarding the classification of Sharjah hotels, resorts and hotel apartments and the approval of the SCTDA Board of Directors of the mechanisms to implement this law,' he added.

Al Noman stressed the importance of such a move to the development of the hotel sector, which is the most vital tourism infrastructure in Sharjah and will ensure that high quality services are provided within the hotels sector.

'Over 85 hotel premises operating in this vibrant sector will be able to benefit from the features offered by the new classification, which came as a result of in-depth researches conducted on the local, regional and international markets, and comprehensive studies of the hotel classification standards in different countries.'

The new classification is projected to lead the hotel sector into a new era of progress and to create a quality leap in the emirate’s tourist sector.

“It is certain that all hoteliers are willing to develop their services and facilities in order to be entitled to classification upgrade as per the new standards set by the SCTDA. We should mention that the classification process was flexible throughout all the phases,' Al Noman added.

He said the hoteliers have shown a positive response and have co-operated with the SCTDA, especially in the final phases of the project.

'They were informed of their hotel classifications, and the SCTDA has given them convenient deadlines to comply with the relevant requirements, and they worked to upgrade their classes as per the standards set by the SCTDA” he added.

Speaking of the necessary tools to follow up the implementation of the new law, Al Noman said that the SCTDA’s classification department will conduct regular inspections and visits at these hotel complexes to ensure good services to tourists”.

Al Noman highlighted the significance of this law which will regulate the hotel sector, which is considered as the most important component of tourism industry in the emirate.

He noted that the recent spurt in Sharjah tourism has fueled a record growth in the hotel sector in the emirate, and drawn the attention of international hoteliers to operate in this increasingly attractive tourist destination. - TradeArabia News Service