SRI International Introduces New Hotel Rating System in Abu Dhabi; Standard and Objective Rating System Allows Visitors to Make Informed Choices About Where to Stay.

MENLO PARK, Calif. & ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, today announced that it has signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Development Authority (ADTA) to update and improve the Emirate's hotel quality rating system.

SRI's Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development will work closely with ADTA officials to update the system based on international standards while emphasizing Abu Dhabi's unique tourism assets and attributes.

"We currently have 60 hotels, and the only quality rating we have for them is what is provided by the properties themselves," said Mr. Mohammed Nour, Acting Director of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's Economic Department. "We are keen to update our system with SRI's help, and integrate it with our new e-registration system for use with the licensing of new properties. The new classification system will be an important component of our emphasis on the highest quality standards for the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi."

Abu Dhabi will benefit from an objective new system by:

Providing Information to Customers. Rating systems allow customers (visitors, travel agents and tour operators) to make informed choices about where to stay by allowing them to make comparisons among hotels.

Encouraging and Guiding Investment in Hotels. Internationally-based standards will encourage the private sector to make investments in improving and maintaining the quality of the local hotel infrastructure.

Helping Local Brands to Compete More Effectively. SRI consultants observed that when international and local visitors have no objective rating system consistent with international standards, many visitors simply select well-known hotel chains that conform to certain quality standards. The development of Abu Dhabi standards will help local brands to be recognized for their quality.

Project's goals are to:

--Develop a clearly defined hotel classification system for Abu Dhabi that is comprehensive for all types of properties and accommodations.

--Introduce a framework whereby the standards of existing and future hotel properties are measured systematically and objectively.

--Implement a hotel inspection system whereby visitors, travel agents and tour operators booking visits to Abu Dhabi will be able to clearly differentiate among the types of accommodations available in Abu Dhabi.

"Tourism is a major industry for many cities, regions and countries around the world," said Peter Boone, Principal Investigator, SRI Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development. "It is critical that these areas stay on the forefront of global tourism trends, upgrade their products, maintain high quality standards and promote strategically and aggressively. SRI helps public-private tourism stakeholders identify unique opportunities, craft a new image, and move forward on pivotal projects that have maximum industry impact."

SRI International is proud to have contributed to the achievement of similar goals in other tourism projects in Hollywood, California, Palm Beach, Florida as well as cities in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida and Hawaii within the United States. It also has worked globally on similar projects in Egypt; Bahrain; Lebanon; Hong Kong; the Dominican Republic; Australia; and the Czech and Slovak Republics.

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses, and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships, and creates spin-off companies.

About CSTED

SRI International's Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development (CSTED-www.sri.com/policy/csted) helps regions, organizations, and businesses become more successful in today's economy through more effective science and technology, economic, and educational programs and policies. Based in Washington D.C., the Center is staffed with seasoned professionals who conduct research, analysis, program evaluation, and strategic planning for private and public sector clients. Our multidisciplinary approach gives us a unique perspective and allows us to integrate skills from different disciplines for each client assignment.