Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which manages the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi, has launched a sustainable hotel accommodation classification system in close collaboration with the private sector.
From the end of this year, all hotels and hotel apartments within the emirate will be classified, with hotels being categorised on a scale of one star to five stars and hotel apartments being classified as either deluxe, superior or standard.
“This is a major step forward in the delivery of destination integrity,” said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, ADTA. “It will provide much needed consistency to tour operators selling the destination, successfully manage the expectations of our respected visitors and ultimately ensure a level of quality performance from all the emirate’s accommodation providers in line with the development of a world class destination.”
“The system will also provide a framework for hotel investors when designing their properties to include the necessary facilities and services to attract their desired market groups. It will also act as an incentive to hotel owners and managers to upgrade their facilities,” he said.
The ADTA system combines both mandatory and scoring methodologies to deliver a quality standardisation system which is aimed at developing industry standards and procedures, enhancing tourism standards in the emirate and encouraging their continuous improvement.
Five categories have been added – environmental issues, special needs, comprehensive detailed standards, consideration for cultural tourism sustainability and implementation planning.
All applicants have to meet minimum standards for overall general safety and security, bedrooms and bathrooms, public areas and services and amenities and will then also be rated on a scoring system covering accommodation, infrastructure, guest service and restaurants.
This system will be upgraded every two years in accordance with international market standards.