An exercise that may prove costly to restaurant owners but good for people, Abu Dhabi is all set to introduce a new rating system for hotels. This rating system aimed at lifting standard and quality of service, is likely to be put in place with effect from 2012. It is a first ever effort of Abu Dhabi government for raising standard and thus attracting tourists.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) told, "We want to raise the service standard. Tourists are very smart; they compare. If they go to the same chain of hotel in different cities, they complain if the service standards are not met."

The city's Food Standards Authority is already looking in to food safety standards and now more emphasis would be done in providing quality services at the restaurants. Al Muhairi said that country like UAE where there is no restaurant associations, government have to do the needful for raising standards.

A five-star ratings scheme to grade accommodation in hotels is already put in place in the UAE capital since 2009. So far three hotels were downgraded based on poor quality of furniture and amenities.