CHENNAI: Star rating by hotels is often misleading. It could ruin the country's image and may not give value for traveller's money. Hotel classification in the country is merely descriptive and it takes into account only the presence or absence of certain facilities and service provisions for awarding star rating. Pointing out certain lapses, a report commissioned by Union Tourism Ministry has recommended bringing all accommodation (hotel) units with minimum of 10 rooms or an investment of Rs. 10 crore, excluding land cost, to be brought under mandatory classification.
While recommending the enforcement of mandatory hotel classification system across India, the report states that many countries evolved their system of classification guidelines under their National Tourism Agencies. Add on features could enable the property to accrue points, according to a study conducted by Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management (IITTM). It recommended the overhauling of the current set up of hotel and restaurant approval and classification committee.
The report - Study to Devise International Benchmarking Parameters for Awarding Star Ratings to Hotels - compiled by IITTM by analysing global best practices and also by stakeholder views, has recommended enforcing hotel classification 'mandatory' in the country. Citing a suggestion of associations like the Hotel Association of India (HAI), the institute strongly advocated enforcement of mandatory provision to prevent non-classified hotels from misusing the 'Star' rating to misguide guests.
The recommendation comes against the backdrop of a drop in classified hotel rooms in the country in the last five years from about 95,000 in 2008 to around 75,300 in 2013. The decline was said to be highest in two-star and three -star hotels across States, and Kerala was an exception due to star classification for obtaining bar license. Besides, it has proposed e-portal for hotels to facilitate responsible classification design in the country.
