Comparative Analysis of Hotel Classification and Quality Mark in Hospitality

Abstract

This article makes a comparative analysis of hotel classification and quality mark in hospitality, aiming, primarily, to eliminate the confusion among these concepts regarding the role, the objectives, the procedures, and the purpose of these regulations and instruments used in the hotel industry. In this sense, the concepts of hotel classification (classification systems of the European Union (EU) member states) and the quality mark in hospitality (within the EU countries) are analyzed. The research methodology involved activities of collecting, processing, and interpreting information on issues of classification and quality brand in the hotel industry, nationally and internationally, using a vast amount of documentary material (books, studies, journals, legal regulations, Internet databases, etc.), making objective and analytical observations, theoretical analysis, benchmarking, and content analysis. The research results provide information which eliminates the confusion between the two concepts, providing clarification on the role, objectives, and procedures of the hotel classification purposes, namely, quality label in hospitality. Research highlights the similarities and especially the differences between the hotel classification and the quality mark in hospitality. The conclusions of this paper contribute to clarifying concepts: hotel classification and quality mark in hospitality, including important and useful information for the specialists in tourism and business operators in the hotel industry. In this regard, hotel classification is a coded form of synthesis of the comfort level and range of services, and the quality label is a model of good practices for implementation and certification of the hotel services quality. The classification system may be compulsory or voluntary (varies from country to country), while the quality mark is always voluntary. Classification of hotels is based on the star system (1-5 stars), and the quality brand is based on awarding the quality mark symbol.