the joint wto & ih&ra; study on hotel classification - Hotel Designs

IND.D.004.16 April 2004RomaniaSwitzerlandUnited KingdomOpe<strong>ra</strong>tors should submit a written request (a complete file). For new developments, a pre-projectvisa must be obtained from Ministry of Tourism. Gene<strong>ra</strong>lly speaking, all criteria are applying ofthose minimum recommended by WTO. Compliance with minimum requirements of norms andconsequently with health, sanitary-veterinary, work safety, fire safety bodies certificates. It appliesto: buildings, room size, safety & security criteria, staff certificates proving g<strong>ra</strong>duation of hospitalityschools (front desk, restau<strong>ra</strong>nt waiters, cooks, chefs) and a certificate for hotel director /Gene<strong>ra</strong>lManager, issued by Ministry of Tourism/.Restau<strong>ra</strong>nts are part of <strong>the</strong> classification scheme, <strong>ra</strong>ted by stars by Ministry of Tourism.The only and very recent private classification guide appeared on <strong>the</strong> market – House – and itcreated rumours among Ministry of Tourism officials. The Romanian Hotel Industry Fede<strong>ra</strong>tion’sposition is that as long as it is a free market, government can <strong>ra</strong>te hotels much more objectivelythan inspectors, who can be ‘convinced’.The classification system of <strong>the</strong> Swiss Hotel Association is <strong>the</strong> only classificationsystem in Switzerland. It was adopted by SHA in 1979 and has been revised every5 years.The classification system is not very clear, some hotel groups award <strong>the</strong>mselves star <strong>ra</strong>tings.- 31 -