Hotel stars in all their glory

It’s official, the hospitality and tourism sector has taken a big step forward ! ?

Yes, today hotel classifications take into account the digitalisation of services such as : dematerialised check-in, internet access in every room and many more.

What are the new criteria ?

Let’s start by looking at the new criteria that allow you to obtain the famous Atout France stars Atout France, the French tourist development agency. Note the date 1 April :

• The widespread use of QR codesto provide the welcome book for the accommodation

• Thedematerialisationof check-in

• Access toWifi

• The minimum offering of3 food products from short supply chainswhen the establishment provides catering

• The use ofenvironmentally friendly cleaning products

• The obligation to inform guests about soft mobility options near the holiday destination

• Staff trainingon the three major resource-saving topics

How is the evaluation carried out ?

To request a classification, you order a control visit from an assessment body accredited by the COFRAC (Comité français d’accréditation). This body evaluates your hotel. COFRAC accredits assessment bodies, but does not inspect hotels. At the end of the evaluation, Atout France issues the classification.

For hotels of 1 to 3 stars, no suspense ! They will be informed of the inspectors’ visit. ;)

For 4 and 5 star hotels, a mystery visit is added to the announced control visit. The assessor then presents themselves as an ordinary guest, without announcing their arrival.

And remember that stars must be reassessed every 5 years, to check their relevance. As we mentioned above, it is up to you as a hotelier to request it otherwise you will unfortunately lose those precious stars…

Labels

As you probably know, labels are an integral part of the new criteria. A mark of quality to raise awareness or reassure your clientele.

We will focus on two labels : the European Ecolabel and the Tourism & Disability label.

Regarding the European Ecolabel, you must implement certain environmental measures to obtain it. ??

For example :

• Limitingenergy and water consumption

• Reducingwaste production

• Use ofrenewable resources

• Raising guests’ awareness of environmental preservation.

For the Tourism & Disability label, you must offer a welcome and services adapted to the needs of people with disabilities.

Of course, you can consult an online service to search for an establishment certified Tourism et Handicap. You just need to implement these new criteria so that your stars match the level of your establishment ! ?

Frequently asked questions

Is a QR code mandatory to obtain stars ? Do not infer this from its presence among the criteria related to digitalisation of services. Check the current hotel reference framework for the status of the QR code for the welcome book, dematerialised check-in and access to Wifi, as well as the categories concerned. The paper welcome book does not, on its own, meet a criterion relating to a QR code.

Who evaluates my hotel, and will I be notified ? You order the control visit from an assessment body accredited by COFRAC, the Comité français d’accréditation. The control visit is announced. For 4 and 5 star hotels, a mystery visit is added: the assessor then presents themselves unannounced, like an ordinary guest.

Are my stars permanent? No. Stars must be reassessed every five years to verify that they still reflect the reality of the establishment. The request must come from you, not from Atout France : no one will chase you. If no action is taken within the time limit, the classification is withdrawn.

Which criteria concern catering and the environment ? The article cites three food products from short supply chains when the establishment offers catering. It also cites environmentally friendly cleaning products, information on nearby soft mobility solutions and staff training on the three major resource-saving topics. Check the current hotel reference framework for the status of each of these criteria and the establishments concerned before treating them as obligations.

The European Ecolabel and the Tourism & Disability label, are they the same approach? No, the two do not measure the same thing. The European Ecolabel concerns environmental measures : limiting energy and water consumption, reducing waste production, using renewable resources and raising guest awareness. The Tourism & Disability label, meanwhile, certifies a welcome and services adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. An online service allows you to search for establishments that hold it.

The table below summarises the criteria mentioned in the article. Its " Obligation " column does not confirm their regulatory status : the " Yes " indications and the conditions shown must be checked, criterion by criterion, in the current hotel reference framework and according to the category targeted.

Criterion	Nature	Obligation
QR code for the welcome book	Digitalisation	Yes
Dematerialised check-in	Digitalisation	Yes
Wifi access in every room	Digitalisation	Yes
3 short supply chain products in catering	Environment	If catering service
Environmentally friendly cleaning products	Environment	Yes
Information on soft mobility	Environment	Yes
Staff training on resource-saving	Environment	Yes
Reassessment every 5 years	Procedure	To request