Borzenkova K. S.

Dnipropetrovsk National University of Oles Honchar (Ukraine)

WORLD EXPERIENCE OF CATEGORIZING COMPANIES IN HOTEL BUSINESS

Last years the global tourism industry has developed rapidly, which led to the active development of tourism infrastructure, including the hotel sector. Increasing the number of hotel business and their great diversity actualize the problem of classification (categorization) hotel companies based on standardization requirements for providing quality services.

Categorization (some systems use the term certification, in the other countries – classification) is a process of obtaining a document by the entity of the hotel business, which confirms the compliance of this entity with the requirements of a certain category (class).

In Ukraine categorization is compulsory for hotels, but today the number of hotel companies that got the star is extremely low (as of 31.01.2017 – 257 of hotels). Experts attributed the situation with imperfect legal framework regulating the categorization process in our country. So there is actual objectives to explore the world experience of the hotel classification in order to identify ways to improve Ukrainian legislative system.

The research showed that currently there are no uniform rules, criteria and requirements to establish categories of hotels (the world is at least three dozen systems used in different countries) [1]. Mostly name of the category is indicated by certain characters, the most widespread are:

- Stars (Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, Turkey, UAE, India, Thailand);

- Diamonds (USA);

- Level (Italy, Spain);

- Keys (United Kingdom);

- Crowns (UK);

- Letters (Greece).

Different systems are not only distinguished by symbols, but also have different requirements for certain categories. This leads to that same hotel on different systems can get different categories. Moreover, even within individual countries use different systems and symbols (USA, UK).

In different countries there are not only a system of categorization, but also the approaches to the definition of mandatory and business performance and control. There are three basic approaches used in various countries:

1) categorization is optional;

2) mandatory categorization, but its conduct independent (non-state) institutions;

3) categorization is compulsory and its conduct public authorities and institutions.

In recent decades there is an opinion of the need to unify the processes of categorization and introduce a single system of "stars", which would be understandable to representatives of different tourist markets, because in such conditions the consumer will be able to form an opinion of the hotel on the basis of the stars it received. In the global space first attempts at such unification began in 1952, when IUOTO approved standard "Hotel Trade Charter", then they were repeated.

But today there is only one example of a successful attempt to harmonize various types of classification of hotels in Europe. The European Union hoteliers, restaurateurs and cafe owners – HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés in Europe), which brings together 39 members associations from 24 European countries in 2004 declared a desire to develop a common classification of hotels. In 2007 was agreed common requirements for quality hospitality services in Europe (European Hospitality Quality – EHQ). In 2009 at the next congress in Prague was approved a common European system of hotel classification.

It should be noted that according to this qualification, attention is paid to 21 qualification criteria containing 270 characteristics. Unlike previous requirements for categories of hotels, limitations in the amount of hotel room was canceled, but presence of to ilets became mandatory (this, for example, was still optional, even in 2 star hotel in France). The most priority today is quality of management process, security and leisure of guest.

Nevertheless, the problem has not been solved, in fact, more experts are skeptical about the idea of unification categorization conditions, attention is paid to national, cultural, ethnic, climatic and natural peculiarities of hotel business around the world. It is also difficult to make predictions about the successful implementation of efforts to unify the procedures of categorization, because of the difficulty finding a common denominator of quality hotel service, which could be equated to the different level of economic, demographic, social and cultural development in different parts of the world.

There is the necessity to reach a reasonable compromise between national peculiarities of hotel service (number of rooms, presence of their minimum required facilities according to the "stars", parameters of lobby / reception etc.) and the requirements of each customers to satisfy their expectations according to money they spent to the "star" hotel.

The list of references:

1. Білецька І. М. Національні особливості організації готельної справи у світовій індустрії гостинності [Електронний ресурс] / І. М. Білецька // Ефективна економіка. – 2015. – № 1. – Режим доступу : http://www.economy.nayka.com.ua/?op=1&z=3745

2. Grynko T. V. Organizational culture and image as a factor in the competitiveness of tourism and hotel enterprises / T. V. Grynko, O. P. Krupskyi, I. V. Timar // National Economic Reform: experience of Poland and prospects for Ukraine : Collective monograph. – Poland : Izdevnieciba “Baltija Publishing”, 2016. – Vol. 3. – P. 252–270.