hotelleriesuisse: Swiss Hotel Stars to Shine Brighter in 2006

Olten 27. 11. 2003 (PROTEXT/ots) - The delegates at thewinter meeting of hotelleriesuisse have approved a motion toadapt the hotel classification system so as to better meet theneeds of future hotel guests. Beginning in 2006, Swiss hotelstars are expected to shine more brightly thanks to increasedproprietary protection, the introduction of the honorarydesignation "Superior", greater quality assurance andindependent auditing.

A large majority of the delegates of hotelleriesuisse, theleading association of Swiss hotels, voted in favour today ofrevising the system for classifying hotels.

The Swiss hotel classification system is the core competenceof hotelleriesuisse and has been applied throughout Switzerlandsince 1979 for the sake of evaluating the service quality,infrastructure and facilities of member hotels in accordancewith uniform standards. The star system offers the guestimportant general guidance when it comes to selecting a hotel.Classified hotels account for more than 80% of all overnightstays booked in Switzerland.

While the philosophy of the new hotel classification systemis oriented to the needs and wishes of hotel guests in the year2010, the following 4 major revisions are to come into effect in2006:

The proprietary protection of the hotel star is to beexpanded: reference to or use of the hotel classificationsystem's standards may only be made with the consent ofhotelleriesuisse as well as documentation concerning the relevantauditing competence. Furthermore, the hotel stars may only bepublished together with the official trademark ofhotelleriesuisse.

The introduction of an honorary designation "Superior"creates a new class of distinction in the 3, 4 and 5-star hotelcategories. Aspects such as quality management and servicediversity are to play a central role in the conferring of the"Superior" distinction. The goal is to establish a selection of10-15% Superior hotels per category.

The new hotel classification system takes account of theefforts of individual hotels and/or hotel groups in the area ofquality management. Certification here is based on the 3requirement levels established for the quality label of theSwiss tourism sector.

The formal and material independence of the representativesand organs of the hotel classification system is to beestablished as indispensable. Unannounced audits are also to begiven greater weight.

Hotels located outside of Switzerland may also apply formembership at hotelleriesuisse.

ots Original Text Service: hotelleriesuisse Internet:http://www.presseportal.de

Further information:

Mr. Riet Frey President of the Hotel ClassificationCommission & owner of Hotel Meierhof in Davos MOBILE: +41 79 21651 02 Telephone: +41 81 416 82 85

hotelleriesuisse

Ms. Isabel Garcia Communication Director MOBILE: +41 79 65285 19 Telephone: +41 31 370 42 86 E-Mail:isabel.garcia@swisshotels.ch

Mr. Christian Hodler Assistant Director Telephone: +41 31 37043 31 E-Mail: christian.hodler@swisshotels.ch

Internet: www.swisshotels.ch

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