Hotel Classification Law to boost the hotel sector in Sharjah

Issued on the sidelines of the SCTDA's participation in Arabian Travel Market 2008, the report showed the emirate continuing its substantial growth in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the corresponding period a year ago.

The number of guests surged to 421,898 against 377,306 guests and the overall occupancy in the emirate's hotels and hotel apartments was 80% compared to 77% in Q1 2007.

The number of hotels and hotel apartments in the emirate has increased to 96 hotel premises during first quarter of 2007, 33 hotels and 63 hotel apartments, as compared to 74 hotel premises, 24 hotels and 50 hotel apartments, in the same period a year ago.

Accordingly, the number of hotel rooms increased to 3721 in Q1 2008 from 3237 in Q1 2007, while the number of hotel apartment rooms rose to 3238 in Q1 2008, compared to 2843 in Q1 2007. The total number of hotel and hotel apartment rooms rose to 6959 rooms up from the 6080 rooms in first quarter of 2007.

The number of guests surged to 421,898 against 377,306 guests during the first quarter of 2007. The number of hotel and hotel apartment guests climbed to 224,501 and 197,397, respectively, against 204,101 and 173,205 recorded in the same period last year.

Figures went on to show that the total number of occupied room nights rose to 399,443, in first quarter of 2008. This figure includes: 241,095 for hotels, and 158.348 for the hotel apartments, compared to 387,381in first quarter of 2007, in which 229,050 where for hotels, and 158.332 for hotel apartments.

Other statistics issued by SCTDA showed that European tourists accounted for 39% of the total tourist influx into the emirate in first quarter of 2008. GCC tourists came second with 23%, and Asian tourists accounted for 23%, while 21% came from various other Arab countries. Asian tourists recorded 16% and Commonwealth, American, African and Pacific tourists made up the remaining 4%.

Commenting on SCTDA's statistics, H.E. Mohamed A. Al Noman, the Authority's Director General said: 'This increase in the number of hotel premises in the emirate and the rise in their occupancy rate indicate clearly a year of excellent performance as it is apparent from the figures of first quarter".

He added: 'In the meantime, the authority is working according to a clear strategy to develop the tourism sector of Sharjah by targeting international markets, and organizing events and activities that further promote the emirate through tourism, trade fairs and promotional tours. The statistics reflect the changes occurring in the tourism sector in Sharjah, and the positive outcome of our efforts throughout the year.'

Speaking on the authority's agenda during Q1 2008, Al Noman clarified: 'No doubt that SCDTA has witnessed a remarkable growth during first quarter of 2008, where the authority targeted the local, regional and international tourism markets in order to address the needs of the tourism sector in the emirate. Yet despite the marked improvement that we experiencing, we will continue our endeavors to maintain the current levels of success, and to further promote Sharjah as a favorable tourist destination and world family, heritage and culture center.'

"Following strong and distinguished participations for Sharjah in a large number of international platforms, the SCTDA has been keen during the first quarter of 2008 to organize such world class activities as the Formula 2000 President Cup Powerboat Championship UIM and to take part in high profile events such as Sharjah Heritage Days. The SCTDA has announced the official launch of hotel classification law which came into force beginning of this year. Now we are adopting a new strategy of tourism development that is projected to dramatically boost the leading position of the emirate on the world tourism map".

The implementation of Hotel classification law has significantly contributed in enhancing the performance of Sharjah's hotel and hotel apartments. The law came into force as from the 1st of January 2008, following amiri degree No.16 of 2007 issued by the Executive Council regarding the classification of Sharjah hotels, resorts and hotel apartments.

More than 96 hotel premises in the emirate of Sharjah have been labeled as per the new standards which came as a result of in-depth researches conducted on the local, regional and international markets, and comprehensive studies of the hotel classification standards in different countries. The new classification is projected to lead the hotel sector into a new era of progress and to create a quality leap in the emirate's tourist sector.