Dubai's new Hotel Classification Scheme made law

The hotel classification scheme improves clarity about the quality and type of accommodation available in the emirate.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) revealed a decree has been released formally legalising a new Hotel Classification Scheme for Dubai. 

The new system will improve clarity and increase the transparency about the type and quality of hotel rooms and accommodation available across the emirate and the services provided within the establishments.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of ATM and comes a year after the scheme was ‘soft-launched’ at the same event in 2012.

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Designed to provide the industry and visitors with clarity and transparency on the type and quality of each hotel establishment within the Emirate, the system adopts a multi-layered framework to rate and categorise each hotel.

The system provides specifications on the requirements for different types and levels of guest accommodations and its multi-layered framework will formalise the quality and standard of guest accommodation and encourage a wider range and choice for visitors.

Director of Hotel Classification at DTCM Majid Al Marri said the current classification dates back to 1998 and required updating due to the “vast growth of the hotel and hospitality sector in Dubai in the past 15 years”.

“Following the soft launch of the new classification system this time last year, we have benchmarked it against grading schemes from markets in major destinations regionally and around the world, to help ensure that Dubai’s classifications are at the forefront globally,” he asserted.

“We have also worked in close partnership with the hotel industry to ensure that our new criteria matches the range of tourist accommodation in the market today and that there is a smooth transition from the old classification system to the new one.”

Businesses in the travel and hospitality sector are invited to contact the Hotel Classification department within DTCM for more information about the classification changes.

Further information is available at http://classification.dubaitourism.ae