Hotel classification law has come into force in Sharjah from this year in a bid to ensure high quality services are provided within the hotels sector, it was announced by a top official from Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).
SCTDA director general Mohammed A Al Noman confirmed that all hotel complexes in Sharjah have been classified with effect from 1 January this year, and that SCTDA has finalised the distribution of the classification labels for hotels and hotel apartments.
Hotel categories range from one to five 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,’ Al Noman said.
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. “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.”
“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.