World Practices Hotel Classification
Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 13, No. 4, December 2008
World Practices of Hotel Classification Systems
Katalin Cserà and Azuma Ohuchi
Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Japan
Official hotel classification systems vary by country and often have different symbols (stars, diamonds, etc.) to distinguish between hotel categories, causing confusion not only for tourists but also the hospitality industry. Previous research has given prominence to European and American grading systems and less attention to other important tourist destinations of the world. Therefore, this paper aims to extend the range of investigated classification schemes to Asian countries as emerging tourist markets and to elucidate the differences between classification in Europe and Asia. Many studies have been reported about classification schemes in general, but less research has been engaged with comparing the different frameworks in detail. This work addresses this gap by comparing the structures and characteristics of these systems and giving concrete examples about Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, China and Japan. The results of a classification criteria analysis show the correspondence of these systems, assisting a better understanding of grading schemes in general. Thereby, this study is intended to support both academic and practical fields. Finally, future research directions and limitations are identified. Key words: hotel classification, star rating, classification criteria, comparative analysis
Introduction
As the focus of hospitality has moved from consumer protection to consumer information in recent years (United Nations World Tourism Organization [UNWTO], 2004), standardization together with competitive marketing of hotel services have emerged to develop national hotel classification systems. According to DEHOGA, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, hotel classification
was created to be meaningful both for the customer
World Practices of Hotel Classification Systems
Katalin Cserà and Azuma Ohuchi
Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Japan
Official hotel classification systems vary by country and often have different symbols (stars, diamonds, etc.) to distinguish between hotel categories, causing confusion not only for tourists but also the hospitality industry. Previous research has given prominence to European and American grading systems and less attention to other important tourist destinations of the world. Therefore, this paper aims to extend the range of investigated classification schemes to Asian countries as emerging tourist markets and to elucidate the differences between classification in Europe and Asia. Many studies have been reported about classification schemes in general, but less research has been engaged with comparing the different frameworks in detail. This work addresses this gap by comparing the structures and characteristics of these systems and giving concrete examples about Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, China and Japan. The results of a classification criteria analysis show the correspondence of these systems, assisting a better understanding of grading schemes in general. Thereby, this study is intended to support both academic and practical fields. Finally, future research directions and limitations are identified. Key words: hotel classification, star rating, classification criteria, comparative analysis
Introduction
As the focus of hospitality has moved from consumer protection to consumer information in recent years (United Nations World Tourism Organization [UNWTO], 2004), standardization together with competitive marketing of hotel services have emerged to develop national hotel classification systems. According to DEHOGA, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, hotel classification
was created to be meaningful both for the customer
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