Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the apex body which manages the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi, has launched a sustainable hotel accommodation classification system, produced in close collaboration with the private sector and which features online facility.
The move means that from the end of this year, all hotels and hotel apartments within the emirate will be classified with hotels being categorised on a sliding scale of one star to five stars and hotel apartments being classified as deluxe, superior or standard.
According to a report in ameinfo.com, 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. Apart from it, five value-added categories have been added — environmental issues, special needs, comprehensive detailed standards, consideration for cultural tourism sustainability and implementation planning. A new graphic brand has also been developed for the scheme and greatly differentiates it from the conventional five-star visual messaging.
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.
Six general managers of hotels throughout Abu Dhabi served on the technical committee which oversaw the system's progression with a series of industry workshops conducted at each development stage. Selected hotels then assisted in testing the system with feedback being used to instigate improvements. Selected industry partners also assisted in familiarising the industry with the system and in the training of classification controllers.
Nasser Saif Al Reyami, Director, Licensing and Classification Division, ADTA said, "This is a world-class system which will be upgraded very two years in accordance with prevailing international market standards and to reflect the increasing status of Abu Dhabi as a global destination of distinction."
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