The Government has imposed tighter criteria for hotel ratings in a move to ensure better quality hotel service and facilities.
Additionally, ratings for hotel apartments have also been introduced to achieve the same objectives.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the ministry has added five criteria in its rating scheme.
“They include providing WiFi access for all floors in a hotel building, tightening the marking system for hotel ratings, promoting warmer welcome practices a la Malaysia and requiring hotels to send feedback forms from hotel guests straight to the ministry.
“The main change, however, involves the criteria for a hotel to be given a five-star rating,” said Tengku Adnan.
He said five-star hotels would now have to provide 24-hour room service, ensure
shops and restaurants in the hotel operated for a minimum of 18 hours (depending
on approval of local authorities) and use only Malaysian-themed
decorations.
A minimum price of US$80 (RM275) for room charges per night must also be
implemented, while at least five satellite TV programmes – sports, children,
news and two movie channels – are also required.
Tengku Adnan said the steps were necessary to ensure hotels were given appropriate ratings, which translated to either a star or an orchid rating. Orchid ratings are given to hotels which do not qualify for the one to five-star rating requirements.
All hotels will be rated based on their qualitative and aesthetic requirements, common areas, bedroom requirements, services, safety and hygiene standards, and staff.
These standards, for both star and orchid rating, were according to guidelines set by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, and adjusted to local cultures.
Speaking at the ministry’s office here, Tengku Adnan said the introduction of hotel apartment ratings was to ensure all tourist accommodation premises could be rated.
“This move will also allow us to improve and monitor hotel apartment service and facilities, and streamline their standards,” he said, adding that there were 430 personnel in the ministry’s Hotel Monitoring Team.
Tengku Adnan said there was a need for more personnel, as there were 992 registered hotels in addition to more than 2,200 tourist accommodation premises nationwide.
“We’ve received many complaints from tourists and locals alike that our hotels are not up to their standards, and this is where the ministry aims to put its foot down.
“It is important for us to maintain an image of Malaysia as a family-oriented holiday destination, and most definitely, good hotel service and facilities is a step in the right direction,” said Tengku Adnan.
Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]
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