The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced that a new system will be in place soon to introduce the concept of self-catering hospitality accommodation to the booming tourism industry in the emirate in line with the international practice and further development of its tourism product.

The DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, said the new legislation will set out the criteria and conditions for operating the self-catering hospitality accommodation through companies licensed to perform such an activity.

The new category of accommodation will help meet the emerging demand of the market and will be a value-addition to the booming tourism industry.

DTCM is the sole licensing body for hotels, hotel apartments and tour operators and has in place a highly-recognized hotel classification system in place.

The decision comes in line with the initiatives of the Dubai government to enhance the standards and quality of tourism industry services in the emirate in line with the international practices and to give a boost to the tourism industry.

He said 35 new licenses for hotels and hotel apartments have been issued since the beginning of 2007. As many as 109 initial approvals to facilitate the construction of hotel buildings have been granted in the first half of 2007.

Presently, there are 42 five-star hotels with 12,578 rooms, while there are 7603 rooms in four-star properties. As many as 4358 rooms are available in 41 three-star hotels, 2969 rooms in 39 two-star hotels, and 4318 rooms in 125 star hotels. About 145 rooms are in four Listed hotels. A total of 3306 flats are available in 26 deluxe hotel apartments and 6561 flats in 93 standard hotel apartments. About 190 flats are with four listed hotel apartments.

Dubai currently has hotel categories from one to five-star and two types of furnished and hotel apartments.
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