Jordan Minister of Tourism on hotel classification

Jordan Minister of Tourism and Antiquities HE Maha Khatib [Getty Images].

Existing hotels are currently being assessed; do you think the new system will see more or less hotels rated in higher categories?

HE MK: The aim of the classification system is to upgrade services within hotel establishments, and this can be done without significant investments, but rather by improving or adding services.

Therefore it is anticipated that hotels will upgrade their services to reach the minimum required to remain in their current categories.

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How is the roll-out of new classifications being facilitated?

HE MK: A customised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system is being developed for Jordan, which will facilitate quick and easy inspection of hotels, as well as providing hotel owners, investors, and guests with valuable information and a reference tool. The user-end of this system is made up of a website with separate sections for hotels, guests, travel agents and MoTA.

The ICT system will offer several advantages to the hotel classification process. Guests will be able to obtain detailed information about the current standards of each hotel in Jordan, up-to-date overviews of all hotels and their classification and communicate directly with MoTA if they have complaints or feedback about a particular establishment.

For MoTA, all information will be centralised and easy to access and update. The system will also facilitate communication with hotel owners and investors regarding classifications and updates.

Classification inspectors will use state-of-the-art handheld devices, which organise inspection schedules and advise on the best and most efficient route. These are also equipped with maps and a GPS system to provide locations of establishments, and hotel mangers can monitor the exact location of the inspector when they are waiting for a scheduled inspection. During the onsite inspection, inspectors can generate instant reports on the star category of the establishment they are inspecting through the handheld inspection device and instantly synchronize data with the MoTA database to upgrade information and create new inspection schedules.

The website also enables hotel managers and owners to conduct an automated self-assessment, which shows the star category they belong to and what is needed to reach the next level.

Password protected sections of the database allow hoteliers to verify and report changes in the data on their hotel and order additional hotel signs. Notifications of changes in standards and the formal steps in the classification process are distributed by email or by letter, depending on the preference of the individual hotel.

With password access according to their respective authorities, MoTA officials can enter and consult (management) information in the classification database whereever and whenever they want.