New Abu Dhabi ratings system to launch in Q1 2013

Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority will launch its new hotel classification system in the first quarter of 2013.

“We are currently working on a major update of our classification system – we are three months into the project now. We are working on it in conjunction with the local hospitality industry – the accommodation Industry Development Committee, which meets regularly as been assisting with this process,” Nasser Al Reyami, tourism standards director, told Hotelier Middle East.

Al Reyami said there would be several new aspects to the classification system including a new category for exceptional properties – whether business hotels or leisure resorts – which are deemed to be outside the normal five-star criteria.

“We will also absorb our green hotel guidelines into the system, though these will be recommendations, not mandatory and there will also be some changes to the actual submission procedures,” he added.