The DTCM said the current system doesn't take into acocunt the difference between Emirates Towers and the Burj al Arab.
Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is planning to roll out a brand new hotel classification system which will affect all Dubai hotels, starting at the end of this year.
The new system will include a number of new categories to classify hotels including 'business', 'beach' and desert'. The current star ratings will remain but under the new system, five-star hotels will be broken down into three catagories - Platinum, Gold and Silver.
Majid Sager Al Marri, director, Hotel Classification Department told hoteliermiddleeast.com at yesterday's ATM show that the new system would provide some much needed clarity in the luxury hotel sector, as currently there was too much disparity between the services offered at various 'five-star' hotels in Dubai.
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"That's why we are introducing this system," he said. "You cannot compare one very luxury five-star with another five star hotel.
"For example, you cannot catagorise the Burj Al Arab with Emirates Towers. Both are currently five-star with no distinction, it doesn't make sense."
Al Marri added that under the new classification system some hotels might have to be downgraded to a lower star rating if they didn't meet the new required standards introduced by DTCM, but that all hotels would be "given time to upgraded to a new catagory".
DTCM said it had involved hotels in Dubai in the decision making process surrounding the new system, which had taken around three years to develop, and was created by looking at systems at other countries including Australia and America.
"We set up a consultative committee and we have taken the views of the hotel industry. They are happy with the new system," said Al Marri.
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