Industry backs grading scheme

By Angela Jameson

Hoteliers have overwhelmingly endorsed the harmonised grading scheme for accommodation to be published by the English Tourist Board, the RAC and the AA this month.

Following a three-month consultation with the industry, 89% of 2,839 respondents from England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands backed harmonised standards, while 88% supported the approach adopted by the ETB and the motoring organisations.

However, almost 50 changes have been made to the standards since the consultation process, which included 41 industry workshops. Most of the changes are intended to clarify a point or to make it more flexible. The revised harmonised standards will be published this month.

"Simplicity and clarity for the consumer has always been our goal," said Tim Bartlett, chief executive of the ETB. "We listened to what [the industry] had to say and have incorporated their views."

Inspections under the new scheme will begin this month, as planned, in tandem with inspections for the existing schemes.

One of the biggest changes has been to group bed and breakfasts, inns and guesthouses as Guest Accommodation. However, tourism bosses have still not agreed on a symbol to represent the sector, more than eight months after the Scottish Tourist Board said it would use the star symbol for everything from guesthouses to theme parks.

The industry was overwhelmingly (92%) in favour of stars for hotels. However, just 65% regarded the crown symbol as appropriate for other types of accommodation. More market research into this area is likely.