tourism star grading

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Grading an incentive for tourism industry to professionalise

Bronwen Auret

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) gives hospitality businesses a competitive advantage through a unique star-grading system that is reliable and credible. TGCSA is the only officially recognised quality assurance body for tourism products in South Africa.  The Council has been in operation for over a decade, working with a mandate to maintain and increase the standards and quality of tourism services, facilities and products in South Africa. Quality Assurance plays a critical role in the attractiveness of a product and destination for consumers abroad and domestically, as well as increasing the competitiveness of tourism products in the marketplace.

Our grading standards are subjected to triennial internationally benchmarking exercises to meet global standards. These are fine-tuned for all traveller preferences and enforced through accredited star-grading assessors.  

For this reason, the TGCSA is encouraged by the government’s continued emphasis mandating all government departments and public entities to utilise star-graded establishments for their meetings, events, conferences and accommodation requirements. As the organisation mandated with marketing South Africa as an attractive leisure tourism and business events destination, we assure all travellers that quality-assured establishments offer high quality levels, service excellence and value for money. 

As big users of conferencing and accommodation products, this goes a long way in boosting the tourism sector and galvanises the sector to put its best foot forward. This will also result in an increase in the numbers of quality-assured accommodation establishments as more accommodation and conferencing establishments set their sights on government business. 

I am encouraged by national treasury intervention as this contributes to reviving the sector that has been severely battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.  This is the turbocharge that the sector needs as part of the revival of the broader economic recovery plan that acknowledges the need for targeted, co-ordinated action to mitigate the impacts of the recent turbulence in the industry. 

With its extensive value chain and labour absorption capacity, it is not trite to restate that tourism is a vital contributor to the South African economy. It is rightly acknowledged as a tool for economic development, playing a significant role in responding to the country’s socio-economic challenges faster and sustainably. The impact of the tourism sector on the economy is significant. Tourism also has a long-lasting impact on the broader economy through its substantial forward and backward linkages with other economic sectors. 

As custodians of the tourism industry, we believe that as a country, we must do whatever is necessary to put tourism back on the optimal path to recovery, transformation and long-term sustainability.

To do business with only star-graded facilities isn't exclusionary business practice. We see it as an incentive to urge all tourism players to professionalise, upgrade for the star-grading and meet global standards without lifting a finger. The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa is committed to encouraging previously graded establishments and new entrants to contribute towards a quality-assured destination that offers a diverse, unique and enriched variety of products and price points for tourists.

As we call for entrepreneurs to reinvest in their business, we envisage a system where these players are incentivised to remain on top as a tourism establishment. Not only will this initiative improve cash flow for the sector in the short term, but it will build long-term financial sustainability, thus resulting in more jobs and world-class facilities without impacting the fiscus negatively

The idea is to keep those inside the star-grading platform happy and profitable, and those outside the system interested and attracted.  We welcome the icing on the cake by getting the largest buyer (government) of tourism products to just knock on the doors of star-graded tourism venues only.  

For any queries regarding grading or quality assurance, please do not hesitate to contact the team at  [email protected]  or (011) 895 3110

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Business Guidance

Visitor Experience Grading Scheme

• Outdoor Experiences in Tourism
• Why we embrace the outdoors
• Cost Savings and Efficiencies
• Developing tourism cluster groups
• Enhance your Outdoor Offering through Experiential Tourism

Clusters Case Study

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• Making contact with your local Visitor Information Centre (VIC)
• Creating a digital marketing strategy for tourism businesses
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The Quality Grading Scheme for Visitor Experiences offers tourism operators a chance to be awarded with a one to five star rating to indicate the level of quality a visitor can experience when visiting their attraction or activity. Participating in the scheme assists operators to maintain and continually improve the quality of their offering. The star award is an independent mark of quality and tourism businesses displaying a Tourism NI quality star rating have been officially quality assessed by Tourism NI.

How the scheme works

To achieve a star rating, tourism operators choose to be subject to an annual incognito assessment from an experienced Quality Advisor who will undergo the customer journey.

Following the visit, verbal feedback will be offered to the owner, manager or appropriate staff member and a full report and score sheet will be provided in writing where the star award will be advised.

Quality Advisors undertake a rigorous training programme. Assessments are objective and draw on extensive experience of the visitor attraction and activity sector.

Who is eligible?

The Visitor Experience Quality Grading Scheme is open to tourism businesses that offer a quality visitor experience to tourists. This includes, but not exclusively, museums, castles, historic houses, tours, art venues, wildlife experiences, gardens and garden centres.

Benefits for visitor attraction operators of being quality graded

• Access to one-to-one advice from a team of experienced Quality Advisors.
• Provision of a written report highlighting the strengths and weaknesses and suggestions for improvements
• Priority display on Tourism NI's consumer website www.discovernorthernireland.com
• Reassurance to potential visitors from a recognised and official organisation

A Mark of Distinction

Ve mark of distinction booklet, belleek pottery case study.

Belleek Pottery is currently one of seven 4 Star Visitor Experiences in County Fermanagh.

In this short video, Patricia McCauley, Visitor Centre Manager at Belleek Pottery, talks briefly about their experience and journey through Tourism NI’s Quality Grading Scheme for Visitor Experiences.

About the assessment 

Incognito visits are carried out every year and are undertaken by one Quality Advisor. However, in the event that Tourism NI in its absolute discretion deems it necessary, assessments (whether incognito or not) may be carried out by more than one person.

The Quality Advisor will visit the Experience without prior notice to sample an authentic customer journey. While at the Experience, verbal feedback will be offered to the owner, manager or other appropriate staff member. Following the visit a full written report will be prepared and the award will be advised in writing. There are six key areas of assessment. These include Pre-Arrival and Arrival, which are assessed for all Experiences, followed by Attraction/Presentation and a further three areas: Catering, Retail and Toilets which are included in the assessment if they form part of the visitor experience. Where an Experience does not include these facilities, they are not included in the calculation of the award and have no impact on the result. The assessment of the visitor experience specific to each Experience is tailored to reflect the nature of the designator.

Quality Advisors undertake a rigorous training programme. Assessments are objective and draw on extensive experience of the visitor attraction sector.

The annual subscription fee for operators on Tourism NI’s Visitor Experience Quality Grading Scheme is £150 (including VAT.)

If you are interested in becoming Quality Graded, you can apply now online at  https://forms.tourismni.com/Forms/

More information

• Criteria for Visitor Experiences on Quality Grading  
• Quality Grading Criteria for Activity Providers  
• Quality Grading Criteria for Leisure Centres and Activity Centres
• Quality Grading Criteria for Wildlife Experiences 
• Quality Grading Criteria for Garden Centres   
• Quality Grading Criteria for Tourist Shops  
• Quality Grading Criteria for Arts Venues 

Tourism NI Branding

Some properties that come out of our grading schemes continue to display Tourism Northern Ireland branding (signage, certificates, window stickers, text reference and/or logos) or claim to have a Tourism Northern Ireland star grade when they are not legally entitled to do so.

Displaying Tourism Northern Ireland signage, certificates, window stickers, text referencing and/or logos when no longer participating in our grading schemes is an offence under The Tourism (NI) Order 1992 and is misleading to potential guests/visitors.

We regularly monitor the use of signage, certificates, window stickers, text referencing and/or logos and we investigate any matters concerning improper signage to ensure appropriate action is taken.

If you find any establishments that are not in our schemes but are displaying Tourism Northern Ireland branding in any form, we want to know about it.

Contact our team in confidence below.

• Register for Tourism NI’s Quality Assurance Scheme
• Develop terms and conditions
• What legislation I need to comply with
• Create an account on tourismni.com
• Sign up for the Newsletter
• Attend a Tourism NI webinar / event
• Register for the Content Pool

Visitor Experience Grading Scheme Application

If you are interested in becoming Quality Graded, you can apply now online.

Hotel Star Rating System Explained For Architects And Hoteliers

• Post author By Ian Fulgar
• Post date September 28, 2022
• No Comments on Hotel Star Rating System Explained For Architects And Hoteliers

The hotel star rating system is one of the primary methods for assessing and ranking hotels. Most of the time, the market looks into a hotel’s classification before deciding whether to book an overnight. And hotel owners are often advised to stick to their star rating. However, hospitality organizations do not create equal star ratings, a flaw in this theory. For example, a four-star hotel in Europe provides a vastly different experience than a four-star hotel in the United States, which poses a challenge for hoteliers attempting to attract discriminating clients. Instantaneously, star ratings may influence purchasing choices. One more star speaks volumes about your brand’s quality, luxury, and customer service. Some guests will not stay in a hotel with fewer than five stars. 

How can a hotel enhance its star rating when various measures, factors, and gradations decide on a review? Certain similarities across hotel star rating systems might assist operators in choosing where to concentrate their efforts. Start with this article to understand how a hotel’s star rating is determined and how modest property changes may significantly influence the total star rating. How can a system that often involves assigning a property a star rating of one to five be confusing? Travel-oriented websites, locations, and hotels do not employ a uniform scoring system, which perplexes the star rating system for hotels. There may be differing star ratings for the same property in various publications. 

What do hotel star ratings mean?

Hotel stars are a grading system that evaluates a hotel’s amenities and services to help clients select the hotel that best meets their demands and budget. Whether a customer is looking for a place to sleep or a comfortable experience, comparing hotels based on their star ratings helps narrow the search based on the required features and price ranges. Additionally, they represent the expected level of service upon arrival.

One-star accommodations are the most basic, while five-star accommodations are the most luxurious. There is no uniform hotel star grading system, though. Consequently, a hotel’s ranking may vary based on service, recognition, reviews, consistency, and location.

The Hotel Star Rating System In The Philippines

The Five Star Grading System is a new set of certification norms and requirements for hotels, resorts, and apartment hotels developed by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT). Newly published National Accommodations Standards include the new Philippine Hotel Rating System. The agency amended the 1992 requirements to be on pace with neighboring Southeast Asian nations.

The new certification set complies with the 2009 Tourism Act, also known as Republic Act 9593. This new hotel rating system will depend on the number of audited points gained by each property. In contrast to the previous DOT guidelines, which classified hotels as deluxe, first-class, standard, and economy, the new hotel rating system uses stars.

Each hotel may get a maximum of five stars, or one thousand points.

1 star hotel is worth between 250 and 400 points.

2 star hotel is worth between 401 and 550 points.

3 star hotel is worth between 551 and 700 points.

4 star hotel is worth between 701 and 850 points.

5 star hotel is worth between 851 and 1,000 points.

In the new Philippine Hotel Rating System, auditors will concentrate on the inventory, availability, condition, quality, usability, and overall service of specific facilities. Hotels get star points based on location, resort status, and apartment hotel type. One criterion is restrooms with hot and cold showers that can begin heating in 20 seconds or less.

What to expect in a hotel with a one-star Rating

A one-star hotel rating provides only the most basic amenities, such as a bed and a bathroom, for a night’s stay. You can anticipate modest amenities and service from the personnel. There may or may not be a television or telephone in the rooms.

Typically, one-star hotels are independently owned and not affiliated with a commercial chain. Most one-star hotels are near restaurants and quick-food establishments but offer just vending machines for on-site dining. Additionally, they have reduced reception desk hours and housekeeping services.

• Limited bed and bathroom
• Vending machine in lobby or hallway
• Comfortable room and bed
• Cost-effective
• Provide for basic needs

What to expect in a hotel with two stars

Each room has a bed, bathroom, television, telephone, and closet. There may also be a 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, and self-service dining options, such as a continental breakfast.

Two-star hotels are typically affiliated with a larger chain and located in various locales. These hotels are designed for transitory guests and will be placed off significant interstate exits. They may also provide loyalty programs with reward points for frequent travelers.

• 24-hour reception desk
• Billed Wi-Fi
• Closets or racks for clothes
• Daily housekeeping services
• In-room television and phone
• Self-serving food and snacks
• Clothing racks or closet
• Self-serve dining and snacks
• Daily housekeeping

What to expect in a hotel with three stars

A three-star hotel provides a blend of cost and facilities. They are the mid-range alternative to elite hotel brands, emphasizing style and comfort. Three-star hotels may not be ultra-luxurious, but guests can expect their essential needs to be met along with additional amenities to enhance their stay.

Typical room amenities include a couch or comfortable chair, a desk, a wardrobe, a phone, an alarm clock, and a flat-screen television with an extensive cable package. These hotels may provide complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and breakfast services.

• Business services
• Closet and dresser
• Couch or comfy lounge chairs
• Fitness Center
• A flat-screen TV with cable
• In-room toiletries
• Phone and alarm clock
• Shower with bathtub
• Spacious rooms
• Convenient access to tourist sites
• Elegant and spacious rooms
• Exercise facilities, including a pool and a gym
• Quality service at moderate rates

What to expect in a hotel with four stars

A four-star hotel is an elite establishment that offers facilities, activities, and extras to make multi-night stays memorable. These facilities are frequently huge and situated in tourist-heavy areas, such as near beaches or significant metropolitan centers — packed with receptionists, valets, concierges, housekeeping personnel, and culinary staff.

With king-sized soft beds and luxurious hotel furnishings, the rooms at 4-star hotels are roomy and pleasant. In addition to a desk and high-end furnishings, these may include a safe, bathrobes, and slippers. Most rooms will feature giant flat-screen televisions, with movie rentals offered in the room or hotel lobby . A four-star hotel may be guarded and have various buildings on the property, including a golf-cart service between essential nodes.

Other amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, spas, tennis and basketball courts, instructor-led gym programs, movie evenings, and live music.

• Basketball and tennis courts
• Gym and fitness centers
• Indoor and outdoor pools
• Large beds with high-quality bedding
• On-site activities like exercise classes, live music, and music nights
• On-site restaurants
• On-site room service
• Shower with a separate whirlpool tub
• Staff services like bellhops, concierge, and valet parking
• A premium experience
• Staff availability
• Ideal location for resting and relaxing
• Flexible options for food and entertainment

What to expect in a hotel with five stars

A five-star hotel offers a premium experience and upscale rooms. Due to their exquisite services, five-star hotels are among the most wealthy hospitality establishments in the world. There may be a personal butler, doorman, designated concierge, 24-hour room service, valet parking, spas with skilled masseuses, gyms with personal trainers, live entertainment, and child care.

Architecturally speaking, five-star hotels feature extravagant designs with cutting-edge amenities. The hotel architecture and rooms are often themed and significantly influenced by a particular architectural style, with interior designers creating opulent lobbies and rooms. Each expansive suite may include a separate living area, patio, kitchenette, and minibar. In-room amenities include a jacuzzi tub, luxury bathrobes, and upscale toiletries.

For their enjoyment, guests can pick from various heated pools, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, dance halls, golf courses, and game rooms. These areas may also have a selection of gourmet restaurants and bars with Michelin-starred chefs. Five-star hotels pride themselves on their attention to detail, customizing guests’ experience with bespoke meals and specific room requests.

• High-quality rooms with kitchens, living rooms, and patios
• In-room Jacuzzi tub
• Designer bathrobes and other linens
• Golf courses
• All-around wellness and spa services with facials, massage, as well as nail and hair pampering
• Hot tubs, pools, saunas, and steam rooms
• Options for fitness centers and gym coaches
• Premium staff services such as butler, child care, doorman, personal concierge, and valet 
• On-site bars and gourmet restaurants
• Other entertainment options
• A luxurious and elegant experience
• Full-time services and pampering
• Guest demands immediately called for
• Highest standards for relaxation and comfort

How about seven-star hotels?

In recent years, among the most notable hotel marketing methods has entailed advertising famous or exceptional establishments as seven-star hotels. 

For example, Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel has a seven-star rating based on its Rolls Royce shuttle service, a butler in every room, and distinctive architecture, among other features. Likewise, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi also boasts a seven-star rating. However, a seven-star rating is usually a marketing strategy since no major journal or credible hotel rating organization evaluates hotels on a scale of up to seven stars.

Alternative guidelines on what to expect in a hotel

While the hotel star ratings outlined above can help prepare guests for what to expect from a hotel designed by an architect , a guest can do a few more things to better understand. Contacting the hotel before booking a room is one of the wisest things to do. The way the attendant answers the call and treats the query strongly indicates the quality of service a client will receive.

Additionally, it would be best to check several online reviews to see what actual hotel guests have to say about their experiences. This approach reinforces the right balance between the technical star and previous customer ratings and becomes more significant than any other criteria. 

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• Tags burj khalifa , hospitality , hospitality industry , hotel architect , hotel architecture , hotel star rating , hotel star rating system , hotelier , hotels , lifestyle hotel , property development , property ventures , real estate

By Ian Fulgar

Ian Fulgar is the best architect in the Philippines for real estate ventures and the founder of Fulgar Architects, pioneering unique and metamodern design specialties for various real estate projects from hospitality, condominiums, museums, and commercial to mixed-use township developments in the Philippines. He collaborates with multiple industry specialists to develop joint venture opportunities for landowners and investors.

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How does the hotel star rating system work?

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

The hotel star rating system is designed to give tourists insight into the standard and quality of the type of accommodation that they are booking. However, I have learnt from my own personal experience, that this is far from standardised across the world. Lets face it, a 5 star hotel in Mumbai is NOT the same as a 5 star hotel in Sydney or New York or London….

So lets take a look a what the hotel star rating system is and why we have it…

What is a hotel star rating?

The history of hotel star ratings, usa – 444, recommended , the european hotelstars union, first class, superior luxury, other hotel rating systems, hotel star ratings: further reading.

When a tourist is considering booking accommodation for their next trip, they will likely want to know how good or bad a certain hotel is.

Similarly to purchasing a car or choosing where to eat, tourists want to know what other people think. This helps you know whether it’s worth booking! Research has shown that reviews are important. This is for a few reasons – including:

• Showing a company’s reliability 
• Indicating what real people think
• Making it easier to decide where to go/what to buy
• Building transparency 
• A more personal experience

Star ratings are different to customer reviews, they are determined by ‘professionals’. This means that they are a trusted and respected review of standard and quality.

Hotel star ratings are, in a way, a quantifiable summation of the different positive aspects of a hotel. The ratings are based on a specific set of criteria laid out by the establishment who are awarding the stars, which is used to determine which star is awarded.

Hotels (and booking sites or travel agencies) will use star rating systems to give a one-look insight into how good a particular hotel is. This means that if you are booking in a rush or you’re not sure exactly what you’re after, you have something to base your decision on.

Typically the higher the hotel star rating, the better the hotel is. Most parts of the world use a 1-5 star rating system, although there are also hotels that classify themselves as having 6, 7, 8 or even 10 stars!

Hotel star ratings are also reflected in the price. Hotels with a higher star rating cost more, while low-rated hotels are much cheaper.

You can often filter your search by star-rating, too. This means if you’re after something “bougie” you can search by high-to-low in terms to star rating: the best and fanciest hotels will come top!

In 1958, Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel Guide) released their star rating system. This used to be a printed guidebook. Print copies ceased production in 2011 but the guide can still be found online at ForbesTravelGuide.com – here you’ll find the hotel star ratings system alongside written content from hotel inspectors hired to write by Forbes. 

The Forbes Travel Guide is the oldest travel guide in the US. There is an objective criteria. Ratings are given by anonymous (paid) Forbes staff members. These star ratings are a mark of certification. This is because Mobil registered trademarks for the phrases and designs they used to indicate each star level – and only actual rated establishments were and are allowed to display them.

Hotel star rating systems around the world

When the guide was still the Mobil Travel Guide, hotels were rated on a 1-5 star system. Since it became the Forbes Travel Guide, hotels are now rated Five-Star, Four-Star and Recommended. As of 2019, here’s how each country fared in each category…

• USA – 151
• China – 77
• UK – 16
• France – 13
• Mexico – 12
• Italy – 10
• Japan – 7
• Singapore – 7
• Canada – 6
• Switzerland – 5
• Other – 39
• China – 105
• Canada – 36
• UK – 29
• Mexico – 27
• Italy – 23
• UAE – 23
• Indonesia – 21
• France – 19
• Other – 150
• USA – 213
• Italy – 19
• UK – 13
• Canada – 11
• France – 10
• Mexico – 10
• Japan – 9
• Spain – 8
• Portugal – 7
• Other – 115

As we have identified, there is no world-standard hotel star rating system that applies to every hotel and is universally recognised. Terms around the world are widely accepted – but not ‘standard’. As in, there is no worldwide law or universal system.

However, some countries do have laws that define hotel ratings: Belgium, Denmark , Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Hungary. 

And in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, ratings are defined by the country’s respective hotel industries. The Swiss were the first to do this. In 1979 they became the first country to have a formal non-governmental hotel classification. This then influenced Germany and Austria!

In South Africa , they have a Tourist Grading Council which grants hotels up to five stars. Over in France, the tourist board also has a five-star system. This changed in 2009 from their original four-star system. In New Zealand, it is also the tourist board (actually a government organisation ) who oversee Qualmark – the company in charge of the country’s hotel star ratings.

In 14 September 2009, the Hotelstars Union classification system was established at a conference in Prague. This was done under the patronage of HOTREC . This is an umbrella organisation of 39 associations across 24 countries in Europe. HOTREC is an abbreviation of Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés in Europe. Earlier, in 2007, HOTREC launched their EHQ. This is the European Hospitality Quality scheme – it accredited existing national inspection bodies for hotel ratings, like some mentioned above.

The Hotelstars Union includes Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Belgium, Denmark , Greece, Liechtenstein and Slovenia. The hotel star ratings are as follows:

• * – Tourist
• *S – Superior Tourist
• ** – Standard
• **S – Superior Standard
• *** – Comfort
• **** – First Class
• ****S – First Class Superior
• ***** – Luxury
• *****S – Superior Luxury

Some of the criteria for each star rating are…

The Superior flag is provided when the additional service and accommodation provisions are not sufficient for the next Hotelstar. The bathroom facilities are usually at the same level as for two stars hotels but built from cheaper materials. The cost for regular inspection by independent associations is waived as well.

• 100% of the rooms with shower/WC or bath tub/WC
• Daily room cleaning
• 100% of the rooms with colour-TV together with remote control
• Table and chair
• Soap or body wash
• Reception service
• Facsimile at the reception
• Publicly available telephone for guests
• Extended breakfast
• Beverage offer in the hotel
• Deposit possibility

In addition to the single star (*) hotels:

• Breakfast buffet
• Reading light next to the bed
• Bath essence or shower gel
• Bath towels
• Linen shelves
• Offer of sanitary products (e.g. toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit)
• Credit cards

In addition to the standard star (**) hotels:

• Reception opened 14 hours, accessible by phone 24 hours from inside and outside, bilingual staff (e.g. German/English)
• Three piece suite at the reception, luggage service
• Beverage offer in the room
• Telephone in the room
• Internet access in the room or in the public area
• Heating facility in the bathroom, hair-dryer, cleansing tissue
• Dressing mirror, place to put the luggage/suitcase
• Sewing kit, shoe polish utensils, laundry and ironing service
• Additional pillow and additional blanket on demand
• Systematic complaint management system

In addition to the comfort star (***) hotels:

• Reception opened 18 hours, accessible by phone 24 hours from inside and outside
• Lobby with seats and beverage service
• Breakfast buffet or breakfast menu card via room service
• Minibar or 24 hours beverages via room service
• Upholstered chair/couch with side table
• Bath robe and slippers on demand
• Cosmetic products (e.g. shower cap, nail file, cotton swabs), vanity mirror, tray of a large scale in the bathroom
• Internet access and internet terminal
• “À la carte”-restaurant

In addition to the first class (****) hotels:

• Reception opened 24 hours, multilingual staff
• Doorman-service or valet parking
• Concierge, page boy
• Spacious reception hall with several seats and beverage service
• Personalized greeting for each guest with fresh flowers or a present in the room
• Minibar and food and beverage offer via room service during 24 hours
• Personal care products in flacons
• Internet-PC in the room
• Safe in the room
• Ironing service (return within 1 hour), shoe polish service
• Turndown service in the evening
• Mystery guesting

The Luxury star hotels need to attain high expectations of an international guest service. The Superior Luxury star is only awarded with a system of intensive guest care.

For travellers to and within Europe, this is the most universal system you will come across. It is a well-recognised way of understanding how good a hotel is. Or not!

As well as hotel star ratings, there are other systems in place. Perhaps you are looking for a hotel that is particularly Muslim-friendly. In this case, look for hotels with the ‘Salam Standard’ classification – divided into four tiers, certifications are awarded based on different criteria such as halal food and prayer mats. There are also various rating systems for how eco-friendly a hotel is; even if you don’t opt for an eco lodge , for example, you might still be interested in how sustainable your accommodation is!

Whilst hotel star rating may not be universal across the world, they are certainly a good way to get a feel for the quality and standard of accommodation. If you enjoyed this article and would like to learn more, you may be interested in the following articles:

• Types of hotels
• The history of the hotel industry
• The sex hotel: What, where and why
• 10 alternatives to Airbnb
• What is an eco lodge?

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SKALA CITY, Moscow - District Western (ZAO) - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

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Your Golden Opportunity

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) is the only officially recognised quality assurance body for tourism products in South Africa. What this means is that when it comes to recognisable grading, we really are the one and only. So with a TGCSA grading under your belt, you hold rock steady ground in the Travel and Tourism industry. And for this reason, you can rely on our certified Star Grading to give your establishment the competitive advantage it deserves.

Be it a Hotel, Bed & Breakfast, Self Catering, Caravan and Camping or Conference Venue that you own, or run, the advantages of being graded by the TGCSA are endless. For one, you’ll be pleased to know that once your establishment has been graded by one of our Accredited Grading Assessors and displays the TGCSA Star insignia, it takes a single glance for local and international visitors to recognise your quality and service excellence. While some wear their hearts on their sleeves, we have experience to believe that wearing stars works far better.

It is so important for all of us in the Travel and Tourism industry to use and promote TGCSA Star Graded establishments. By doing this, we help our country achieve the highest level of quality assurance, promote optimal value for money and give ‘customer expectation’ the paramount position it deserves. This way we become a nation that doesn’t only welcome the world with their warm-hearted 'Sawubona’s', but one that is absolutely ready for all it has to offer. 

Novotel Moscow City

Presnenskaya Naberezhnaya, 2, Moscow, Russia

• Wi-Fi in rooms
• Valet parking
• 24-hour reception
• Fitness centre

Novotel Moscow City hotel is situated around 5 minutes' walk from the Federation Moscow-City Tower and features a fitness centre and spa therapy. This hotel also offers Wi-Fi throughout the property.

There are 361 smoke-free rooms at this accommodation, some of them feature panoramic windows, along with such conveniences as Wi-Fi and a plasma TV. Guests can use a sauna and a shower, along with slippers.

The Novotel Moscow City offers a buffet breakfast daily. Gastronomic options include a lounge bar. The wine bar Steak It Easy lies in the immediate vicinity of this accommodation.

Guests can work out in a fitness room or relax in a spa salon. The hotel also provides a conference room for those arriving on business.

Located in the heart of Presnensky, known for the State Museum of Oriental Art and quiet parks like Patriarch's Ponds, the accommodation is about 15 minutes by car from Red Square. Tsar Bell is nearly a 10-minute drive away, while Federation Tower is near the 4-star hotel. Its' convenient location gives access to sports attractions like Luzhniki Stadium, which is 3.9 km away. Mezhdunarodnaya underground station is at a distance of approximately 10 minutes' walk from Novotel Moscow City hotel.

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• Mr. Yusuf Patel, Director at Black Moon Design Studio, who brings his extensive décor and design expertise to the committee.
• Ms. Amor Malan, from the QuadPara Association Gauteng and a former South African Tourism board member, who is well versed on Universal Accessibility matters.
• Ms. Nina Freysen–Pretorius, current chairperson of the Southern African Association of Conferencing Institutions (SAACI). Nina and her team assisted the TGCSA with the review and finalisation of the current Grading Criteria for the Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events sector.
• Mr. Julie Joe Madala, current owner of several catering and décor enterprises, who has experience in the décor and catering industries.
• Ms. Caroline Ungesbock, National President of the National Accommodation Association of South Africa (NAA-SA), and an establishment owner. Caroline has vast experience in the guest accommodation sector which includes B&B’s, Guest Houses and County Houses.
• Mr. Alan Romburgh, Director at the Cape Town Hotel School and a former chairman of the Awards Committee as well as having served on the outgoing awards committee. Alan provides much needed continuity on the committee.
• Mr. Jegie Padmanathan, group hotel operations and development Director at Peermont, commences his second term on the awards committee; His extensive experience in the hospitality industry bodes well for the TGCSA.
• Mr. Tony Hazel, Chief Operations Officer at the Go Touch Down Resorts. Tony served on the previous awards committee where his experience in the timeshare industry was instrumental in the finalisation of the self-catering grading criteria.
• Ms Nonhlanhla Tshabalala, Owner of TMLB Architects is an architect by profession bringing her extensive experience in this sector to the awards committee.
• Mr Mark Goveia is the owner of Hospitality Grading and a current Accredited Grading Assessor with the TGCSA. Mark has worked with the Caravan and Camping as well as the Backpackers and Hostelling sectors for many years.
• Ms Nyeleti Mushwana is the owner of the NMN Grand Hotel and Karibu Lodge in Tzaneen and a former winner of the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Her entrepreneurial flair as well as understanding of small business dynamics is a benefit for the committee.