A new classification system for hotels, tourist residences, campsites and holiday villages comes into force on 1 April. This is no joke, however, as the project was duly announced at the end of last year by Prime Minister Jean Castex as part of the plan to win back tourism. As part of this plan, three decrees were unveiled at the end of last year. Published last January in the Journal Officiel, they repeal, but above all update, the previous decree dating from2009. Indeed, while the ranking does not change in form, always going from one to five stars, its content evolves with the times and adapts " new customer expectations and the introduction of new sustainable development criteria" according to the government's wishes.
So, while the sustainable development Previously, there were only 13 CSR criteria, of which only three were mandatory, the new version of the ranking is organised around 27 entries. These include 13 criteria are mandatory - and in all categories - such as sorting waste, reducing the amount of bathroom linen to be washed or implementing at least one measure to reduce energy consumption. In addition, staff training in the efficient management of water, energy and waste has become mandatory, rather than optional.
Among the optional criteria in this new standard, rooms equipped with 100% low-energy light bulbs earn one point, while the use of alternative water sources and the existence of a waste sorting system available to customers earn two points. The criteria also cover accessibility for the disableds, where it is compulsory to raise staff awareness of how to welcome customers with disabilities, and where the provision of wheelchairs or telephones with large buttons is rewarded.
On the other hand, the definition of this new classification gave us the opportunity to dust it off with the removal of obsolete optional criteria such as the availability of radios and DVD players, or the presence of a fax machine in the room. Instead, more contemporary criteria are now taken into account, such as wifi access, now compulsory in all rooms and all categoriesThis is in addition to existing criteria such as the existence of a website and an online booking module. All this is in addition to existing criteria such as the existence of a website and an online booking module.
While the emergence of complexes combining hotels of different brands is increasingly common, the rankings also take this development into account. Hotels can now share certain facilities and servicesprovided that the information is clear and transparent. Some of these services relate to reception, luggage storage and concierge services, as well as private shuttles, parking and charging points for electric vehicles. Other criteria focus on facilities such as bars and restaurants, well-being - spa, swimming pool, fitness room and other sports facilities - and gardens and terraces. Finally, as hotels adapt to the new habits of business travellers, these criteria also cover work spaces and meeting rooms.
