Rating hotels in India

20/08/2012 India

Heritage Hotels in Udaipur - India

Ratings have a great impact on hotel business but its methods vary from country to country. In India, the Hotel & Restaurant Approval & Classification Committee (HRACC), a division of the Tourism Ministry, takes care of such ratings.

India’s Ministry of Tourism has taken on the project of classifying all hotels in operation with the classic star ratings and its own unique Heritage ratings of Heritage Basic, Heritage Classic to the prestigious Heritage Grand. A hotel earns Heritage status if at least 50% has been built prior to 1950 and no considerable change has been made since then in the façade. The architectural component and construction should have a unique ambiance adhering to the local tradition and culture. A few examples of heritage hotels in India are the Noor Us Sabah Palace in Madhya Pradesh, the Panjim Inn in Goa and the House of MG in Gujrat.

A hotel needs to send a complete application to the Regional Director of the India Tourism Office including detailed documentation about all its services and amenities along with a mandatory fee ranging from 6000- 25000 rupees (90-350€).

Once a hotel applies it should be ready at all times for random visits by the HRACC inspection committee. The rating process includes evaluation of services and amenities made against a checklist made by the HRACC and an onsite inspection of a HRACC representative. Some examples of criteria found on the check list include whether the mattresses are over 10 centimeters thick and whether the reception must speak English.

Obtaining a good hotel rating in today’s global world means having all standard amenities along with a few eco-friendly exercises such as sewage treatment plants, rain water harvesting, waste management, pollution control method for air, water and light, solar energy, and introduction of non-toxic equipment for refrigeration and air conditioning and other eco- friendly initiatives.

It’s mandatory as well to focus on human resource development initiatives like training hotel employees to meet the manpower needs of the tourism and hospitality industry. Rated hotels would be required to train a minimum number of persons, in every calendar year in the skill development courses under “Hunar Se Rozgar” (employment through skills) scheme. Generally small hotels of 20-50 guest rooms are incapable of carrying out such trainings. Therefore, they often join up with other similar hotels to conduct theoretical trainings together. However, practical aspect of the training can be performed in respective hotels.

Once a rating is given by HRACC, it remains valid for 5 years from the date of approval. Next application for re-classification should be sent 6 months prior to the expiry of the current period of classification, along with all valid documents.

The rating system is India will certainly help its tourism industry maintain consistency and reliability in its accommodation services. Having a government run organization keeping tabs on private hotels and maintaining its cultural heritage helps both the Indian people and its visitors.

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