The Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture (ADATC) has revealed that it will be “selective” in the issuance of new hotel licences after a report by Reuters suggested the authority had issued a total freeze on new applications. “We have not completely stopped issuing licences. We still receive applications and are studying them on a case-by-case basis,” Nasser Al Riyami, director of Tourism Standards, was quoted saying in the Reuters report. “It appears to be a reaction to the oversupply,” Guy Wilkinson, managing partner at Viability, a hospitality consulting firm told Gulf News. “The government is taking into account the suffering of hotels that have been struggling to make enough money so in that sense it’s good. Although, it’s crucial for them to get their timing right, on when to pick up their speed again.”