Mohamed A. Al Noman, Director-General of the SCTDA, confirmed that all the hotel complexes in Sharjah would be subject to classification from January 2008, stressing the importance of such a move to ensure 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 this sector.
The law will be enforced in implementation of resolution No. 16 of 2007 issued by the Executive Council regarding the classification of Sharjah hotels, resorts and hotel apartments.
In an interview with Khaleej Times in May this year, Al Noman already hinted at the emirate's plans to re-classify its hotels and hotel apartments in an effort to further upgrade their hospitality standards.
“This system is based on international standards followed by major tourist destinations worldwide and also maintains Sharjah's unique characteristics” Al Noman earlier said.
Explaining the new hotel reclassification scheme, Al Noman yesterday mentioned that the SCTDA has conducted in-depth research through contracting with a dedicated consultant of local, regional and international markets. “ We studied the hotel classification standards in different countries, and subsequently provided local hoteliers with detailed information on the project, its objectives and the benefits it holds for Sharjah's tourism industry,” he said.
An inventory of Sharjah hotels, resorts and hotel apartments, followed by a collection of data was carried out as part of the new policy. The SCTDA held separate meetings with hoteliers to inform them of the grade they are entitled to and discussed with them the importance of hotel classification, as these hotels are part and parcel of Sharjah's tourism sector.