Sharjah set to overhaul hotel classifications

Sharjah is set to launch a new classification system for hotel properties in the emirate as it looks to build on its growing appeal as a tourism destination.

Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, director general, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said the move would improve transparency and would be implemented according to international standards.

The announcesment comes as Sharjah welcomed more than one million tourists in the first half of 2014, a 15% jump compared to the same period last year.

Al Midfa said the new system "is aimed at embracing healthy and modern tourism practices besides simplifying procedures and providing timely and accurate performance analysis".

He added: "New rules will follow clearly defined goals and ensure transparency and healthy competition in the tourism market. All this will help add value to Sharjah's tourism product making the Emirate one of the biggest and most popular tourism destinations in the world."

Al Midfa said a number of new hospitality and tourism projects are in the pipeline in the emirate.

Addressing leaders and representatives of hotel industry and tourism sector on the occasion, Al Midfa said: "The Authority has been working closely with industry partners to constantly upgrade and improve both infrastructure and services. We have a number of new projects and initiatives coming up on this front."

During H1, European visitors made up the lion's share of tourists to Sharjah (37 percent), closely followed by GCC tourists at 34%.

The average occupancy rate in the emirate's hotels during H1 was 74%, up from 70% in the same period last year.

Al Midfa said: "These are healthy and encouraging results. This being the Year of Sharjah's celebration as the Islamic Culture Capital, we are confident that the overall outlook for 2014 will be even more robust. Indeed, the future belongs to Sharjah. The Emirate is increasingly recognised around the world for its distinct Arab and Islamic heritage, colourful calendar of events and festivals and a very diverse tourism landscape."