The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has classified all the 107 hotel premises operating in the emirate [37 hotels and 66 hotels apartments] in accordance with new guidelines.
"The implementation of law No16 of 2007 regarding hotel classification in Sharjah has contributed to creating positive change in hotel performance, as the law had come about as a result of tourism growth in the emirate's hotel and tourism sectors," said a statement.
Hotel categories range from one to five stars, while hotel apartments have three classifications – Deluxe, Standard and Basic, it said.
"Hoteliers have shown a positive response and have co-operated with us, especially in the final phases of the project. They were informed of their hotel classifications, and the SCTDA gave them deadlines by which they had to comply with the requirements. They worked to upgrade their classes as per SCTDA standards," said Maysoon Al Hosani, SCTDA's Licensing and Classifications Department Manager.
The performance of the hotel sector in Sharjah improved significantly during the first half of 2009, according to a report issued by SCTDA.
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