ROME, Italy—For the first time, Italy’s 20 administrative regions will adopt a consistent set of rules and standards for hotel classification—a move that was met with some concern from some hoteliers and hotel associations. The new rating system was proposed in a bill that got the State-Region Conference all-clear and became law this week.
“After more than 20 years, Italy has a national classification system, and now the guests can know in advance the services offered,” said Michela Vittoria Brambilla, government presidency undersecretary in charge of tourism, in a statement.
The new classification system establishes the minimum standards required to obtain a star rating from one to five. Homogeneous provisions apply to new or renovated hotels in the entire country, though individual regions are allowed “to develop stricter rules and to impose additional details to services, when necessary because of local, cultural or climatic needs,” according to the bill.
According to the new regulation, regions also will be in charge with star assignment, periodic controls and sanctions.
For properties with one to three stars, single rooms have to be at least 9 square meters wide, while double rooms must be 14 square meters wide. They must also have cleaning services once a day, 12-hour reception and luggage service (16-hour for three stars), staff speaking at least one foreign language, 12 h bar room service and Internet access. Three-star properties must have 3 square meters per private toilet room, with television in all rooms and safes in 50 percent of rooms.
Four- and five-star properties will have higher standards: 9 square meters for single rooms, 14 or15 square meters for a double room, 4 or 5 square meters for private toilet rooms, satellite TV, Internet access, safes, personal bathrobes, personal care sets, hairdryers, soundproofed system in five-star hotels, linen change and cleaning service daily, 24-hour reception service, personnel speaking two or three foreign languages, a parking area, a meeting area, room service and air conditioning.
Derogations can be allowed only for hotels located in historical or under-protection buildings in order to preserve them.
Other than the stars, the bill outlines an optional rating system “to measure and evaluate the quality of services” without explaining how it will work.
This service rating system could present problems for hotel chains with previously existing rating systems.
“For international chains with their own classification systems, like AC Hotels, the risk is to generate confusion because of manifold marks,” said Marc Sampietro, director AC Hotels, Italy.
Hoteliers voice criticism
The bill has received other criticism as well. Many hoteliers and associations representatives throughout the country have expressed concern that the proposed legislation was drafted without their input.
“It is positive that a national legislation has been established, coming through the distortion of the past when each region developed its own regulation,” said Elena David, the Italian Hotel Chains Association’s president. “A national classification system is relevant in the value for money perspective, but after analyzing the provisions, my opinion is negative.
“First of all, the bill has been implemented without a strong involvement of hoteliers and associations, as it happens in other European countries where the classification systems are outlined thanks to the technical advice of hoteliers. (Though the) Italian government asked associations for an opinion after all is said and done, it took into account just few suggestions. Probably, it was because this is only a starting point, but we hope in a future reassessment of the rule,” she said.
One problem is the introduction of new standards for room sizes: bigger rooms mean a cost increase for new buildings and it is quite a development tax.”
If the law requires bigger rooms to obtain stars, new quality hotels become more expensive to build.
Even if this issue is not unanimously regarded as a crucial for the Italian hotel industry, it still is a wide concern. Sampietro confirmed: “We have raised a question over the risk for new and modern structures’ development.” In other words, companies could be discouraged to build new and moderns hotels.
According to Aica’s president and several hoteliers, the lack of a strong control and sanctions system is considered the main point of weakness in the new regulation.
“It is crucial to verify the hotels’ compliance with rules in the course of the time,” said Vincenzo Presti, president of Ora Hotels. “Until now, only meticulous guests pointed out problems communicating to authorities if the hotels standards weren’t adequate to the stars. Any rating system is welcomed if it helps to improve quality, but we can do even without stars, like in UK, if hotels are checked periodically. The most important thing is the control system.”
“But for international chains operating in different European countries, it is fundamental that Italy goes in the same direction of the other classification systems,” said Sampietro. “Europe is working to develop common standards, and it could be dangerous not to be in line with EU requirements”.
“Our experience can help the European debate,” said Presti, “because Italy has always been in the forefront for quality certification.”