Hotel inspection boards VisitEngland and AA have announced updates on the common standards and criteria for hotels and self-catering accommodations in the UK.
Changes in the revised guidelines will ensure consistent standards are met in any UK accommodation business with an official star rating, as these will now focus on the quality of experiences rather than the provision of facilities.
Following feedback schemes between customer and industry, the new standards will also allow businesses to be more flexible in the facilities they offer since these can tailor the property to the type of guest they attract.
The updated common standards were also agreed with Tourism Northern Ireland, VisitScotland and VisitWales.
The new standards will replace those updated in 2012 of the national tourist boards of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the AA.
Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland’s director, said: “We know that people value quality and guaranteeing that a star rating in Inverness or Swansea brings with it the same benefits as one in Cornwall or Belfast will encourage visitors to further explore the accommodation on offer.
“These refreshed common standards ensure that the wonderful range of quality accommodation across our nations and regions continues to meet the high expectations of visitors.”
The managing director of AA Hotel and Hospitality Services, Simon Numphud, added: “We have seen a growing diversity of accommodation combined by increasing customer expectations. It was important that the quality standards were fully updated to reflect the changing landscape of both the quality of accommodation and the customer experience.”
