The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched an updated Abu Dhabi Hotel Classification Manual at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), introducing new standards aimed at enhancing guest experiences, service quality and sustainability across the emirate’s hospitality sector.
The revised manual expands hotel classification categories,
aligns standards more closely with international hospitality practices and
introduces enhanced sustainability requirements. It also includes a new
recognition layer featuring seven accolades for hotels demonstrating excellence
in areas including Emirati Dhiyafa, Green Excellence, Wellness and Hospitality
Innovation.
Hamad Sudain, Executive Director of Support Services at DCT
Abu Dhabi, said: “As Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector continues to grow, maintaining
the highest standards of quality, service and guest experience remains central
to our long-term success. The updated Hotel Classification Manual reinforces
these standards while establishing a benchmark that reflects Abu Dhabi’s
distinctive approach to hospitality and destination excellence. By providing
greater consistency and clarity across the sector, we are strengthening Abu
Dhabi’s competitiveness as a leading global destination while ensuring visitors
continue to experience the exceptional quality and hospitality for which the
emirate is known.”
First introduced in 2007 and last updated in 2018, the
manual provides measurable standards covering service excellence, facilities
management, health and safety, and sustainability.
The latest edition refines these criteria in response to
changing global hospitality trends and aims to raise guest experience
benchmarks while supporting the objectives of Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy
2030.
DCT Abu Dhabi said the updated framework will benefit
visitors, hotels and investors. Visitors are expected to benefit from greater
consistency in hotel experiences, while hotels will have additional
opportunities to differentiate their offerings through specialised
classifications. Investors will benefit from updated infrastructure
requirements designed to support Abu Dhabi’s position as a global tourism
destination.
The revised manual follows consultations with hospitality
stakeholders across the emirate. DCT Abu Dhabi has introduced a grace period
for hotel establishments to support a smooth transition and implementation of
the new standards.
The Licensing and Regulatory Compliance Department (LRCD) is
leading the development and rollout of the updated manual. The department is
also overseeing implementation, supporting hotels during the transition and
working to ensure the standards are applied consistently across Abu Dhabi’s
hospitality sector. -TradeArabia News Service