HotelStars.cz

Methodology of classification

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Certification signage, its assignment, withdrawal an dispute settlement
3. Specification of the key terms
4. Legislative regulation
5. Terminology pursuant to the standards ČSN EN ISO 13809, ČSN EN ISO 18513
6. Definition of the categories of accommodation facilities
7. Classification of the accommodation facilities – division by classes
8. Classification of the other categories of accommodation facilities
9. Methodology of the assigning of Certificates and Classification signs
10. Organisational provisions behind the assigning of Certificates and Classification signs
11. Procedure towards obtaining a Certificate and a Classification sign
12. Liability for damage incurred with reference to items brought on site or left unattended
13. Marketing support to the classified accommodation facilities and support to the development of the Official standard classification system
14. The AHR CR Ethics Code

1. Introduction

The professional associations Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants and UNIHOST – an association of entrepreneurs in hospitality, catering and accommodation services, in compliance with the Government Resolution No. 717 of 17. 7. 1999 and with the kind support of the Ministry for the Regional Development and the Czech Tourism Board – CzechTourism, have developed the “Official standard classification of the accommodation facilities in the Czech Republic for the categories hotel, hotel garni, boarding house, motel a boatel” for the period of years 2010–2012.

Already since the year 1993, the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants has been a member of HOTREC, a European confederation associating hotels and restaurants at the European Union level. The classification systems of the individual countries are making towards gradual harmonisation and the members of HOTREC have adopted a document summarising 21 criteria intended to harmonise these European classification systems.

Based on the activities pursued in the area of development of the classification system in the Czech Republic, the AHR ČR has accepted an offer to extend the national classification to apply internationally.

The Official standard classification of the accommodation facilities in the Czech Republic has become a part of the international “Central European” Hotelstars Union system, which unites the classification criteria in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Hungary. Hotelstars Union guarantees the same parameters of the quality of accommodation services across this important region.

Fully aware of their responsibility for the qualitative development of the services provided, the professional associations shall be motivating the entrepreneurs in the hotel and restaurant industry to proceed with the certification on a voluntary basis at the maximum extent possible. The Czech Tourism Board – CzechTourism - will make it its priority to promote such accommodation facilities, which will have undergone the certification procedure.

The classification material is of a recommendatory nature and it serves as a tool enabling the ranking of accommodation facilities of the hotel, hotel garni, boarding house and motel categories into the appropriate classes according to the pre-set minimum requirements, with the aim of improving the orientation of consumers – guests and mediators – travel bureaus and agencies, improving the transparency of the accommodation market and enhancing the quality of services provided by the accommodation facilities. The requirements featured here are minimum requirements, which means that the offered service or equipment is of a higher standard than just acceptable for the given class. The classification is not a generally binding legislative regulation and it is up to the particular operator of the accommodation facility whether he/she will actually decide to undergo the certification procedure.

2. Certificates, classification signs, their assignment, withdrawal and dispute settlement

The conferment and renewal of Certificates and Classification signs are carried out on behalf of the members and other entrepreneurs by the professional associations Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants and UNIHOST - Association of entrepreneurs in the hospitality, catering and accommodation services. The classification signs (stickers) are granted for a three-year period starting from January 2010 to December 2012.

Any potential disputes will be arbitrated by an appointed classificatory committee. The investigations and verifications are to be carried out by the professional association that has assigned the Certificate and the Classification sign to the particular accommodation facility.

3. Specification of the key terms

• We use the term “classification” to identify the minimum requirements posed by the individual classes of accommodation facilities.
• The terms “standard” and “standardisation” are to be understood as general notions setting out the requirements for the provided services and equipment.
• “Categorisation” identifies a process of the accommodation facilities being classed into the individual categories (hotel, boarding house, etc.).
• “Certification” identifies the process of conferring the Certificates and Classification signs according to the Official standard classification of the accommodation facilities of the Czech Republic in the category hotel, hotel garni, boarding house, motel and boatel .

4. Legislative regulation

Note: In view of the three-year validity of the classification material we recommend that the effect, or the topicality respectively of the below stipulated legislative regulations, should be regularly verified.

The Trades Licensing Act No. 455/1991 coll., or its amendment No. 356/1999 coll. respectively of 9^th December 1999, amends in its section § 17 item 8 the obligations of the operators of accommodation facilities.

An outlet intended for the selling of goods or providing services to consumers must also be permanently and visibly signed on its exterior by

1. name and surname of the person responsible for the activities pursued by the outlet,
2. sales and operation times intended for the interaction with consumers, as long as the outlet is not merely a simple stall or a similar facility,
3. category and class of the accommodation facility* providing temporary accommodation.

* Public Decree No. 268/2009 Coll. on the technical requirements posed on buildings.

In its Public Decree No. 501/2006 Coll., on the general requirements for the territory utilisation as amended (full wording), the Ministry for Regional Development sets forth:

§ 2 Essential terms

For the purpose of this Public Decree, the following connotations are to be used:

c) a building of an accommodation facility – building or its part, where accommodation and related services are provided; a building of an accommodation facility is not a family house or a building intended for family holidays;

Accommodation facilities are classed into categories according to their type:

(1) hotel, by which accommodation facilities are understood with at least 10 guest rooms, equipped to provide temporary accommodations and related services;

(2) motel, by which accommodation facilities are understood with at least 10 guest rooms, equipped to provide temporary accommodations and related services for the motorists;

(3) boarding house, by which accommodation facilities are understood with at least 5 guest rooms, with a limited scope of social and ancillary services, but with the accommodation services comparable to those provided by hotels; for the classification purposes, a boarding house is specified as being an accommodation facility with at least 5 and maximally 20 guest rooms;

(4) other accommodation facilities, by which we mean namely hostels, student´s hostels, dormitories, school hostels, campsites and chalet or bungalow sites, equipped so as to provide temporary accommodations.

In its Public Decree No. 268/2009 Coll., on the technical requirements posed on buildings (full wording), the Ministry for Regional Development sets forth:

§ 3 Essential terms

For the purpose of this Public Decree, the following connotations are to be used:

a) building – an above-ground structure inclusive of its underground parts, spatially concentrated and enclosed on its exterior prevailingly by perimeter walls and a roof structure,

b) building with a meeting space – a building, inside which there is a space designed for congregation of persons, in which the number and density of persons accumulated inside may exceed the standard limit values, and which is designed to be used for cultural, sports and similar purposes,

d) accommodation unit

(1) an individual room or a set of rooms, which, by their structurally-technical setups and equipment, meet the requirements posed on temporary accommodation purposes, and which are intended for such a purpose,

(2) accommodation unit situated inside a facility providing social services, which is intended for permanent lodging

j) room for a stay – a room or a space which, by its location, size and structural setup, complies with the requirements allowing for persons to stay in,

Part six – special requirements posed on selected types of structures

Accommodation facilities structures

§ 43

(1) According to the requirements posed on the respective areas and equipment, a building of an accommodation facility (subject to Public Decree No. 501/2006 Coll., on the general requirements for the territory utilisation) is categorised in classes that are identified by stars as determined by the standard values (ČSN 76 1110). “Hotels” are broken down into five classes; “Hotel garni” is equipped so as to provide only a limited scope of food services, minimally breakfast service though, and the category is further subdivided into four classes. “Motels and boarding houses” is divided into four classes. “Tourist hostels” is divided into two classes and “Campsites, bungalow sites and bungalows” is divided into four classes.

(2) The entrance areas of a building of an accommodation facility must allow for a smooth welcome and checking in of the guests.

(3) The minimum width of guest corridors is to be 1,500 mm, the minimum walk-through guest staircase width is 1,100 mm. The minimum staff corridor width is 1,200 mm, the minimum walk-through staff staircase width is 1,100 mm. The staff communications must not interfere with the guest communications.

(4) The headroom of a guest room must be at least 2,600 mm. In those parts of the room, where there is a slanted ceiling, only such an area is to be taken into account whose headroom is at least 1,600 mm. The area of the room underneath the slanted ceiling may occupy maximally 30% of the total room area.

(5) The foyer of a guest room must have a minimum walk-through width of 900 mm - as far as the rooms intended for accommodating persons with an impaired motion and orientation ability are concerned, the walk-through width of their foyer must be 1,500 mm and the length 2,200 mm; it does not have to be separated from the guest room by a door. Entry into the amenities is to be from this foyer.

§ 44

(1) According to the class categorisation, the minimum area of a room inside an accommodation unit represents

a) 8 m² for a single room, 12,6 m² for a double room for the one and two stars class,

b) 9,5 m² for a single room, 13,3 m² for a double room for the three stars class,

c) 11,4 m² for a single room, 13,3 m² for a double room for the four stars class,

d) 12 m² for a single room, 16 m² for a double room for the five stars class.

If an accommodation unit of the classes one to three has a room with more than two beds, the minimum surface area of the room shall be increased by 5 m² for each additional bed.

(2) The amenities of an accommodation unit must have an area of at least 4 m².

(3) The accommodation units in accommodation facilities of a three to five stars class must have an access to the amenities from inside the foyer. The other accommodation facilities must have at least a washbasin with running water inside the room. In these cases, it is necessary to ensure there is a bathroom with a bath or with a shower cubicle and a washbasin on each floor, at least for each 10 rooms, and further a structurally separated toilet for men and women with a foyer and a washbasin.

(4) A building of an accommodation facility with more than three above-ground floors must be equipped with a lift.

(5) In the part of an accommodation facility, where catering services are provided and where social or cultural activities are operated, there has to be a separate room with a toilet bowl for the public provided separately for the men and women, both with a foyer and a washbasin. The following is required:

a) one toilet bowl for women per each 10 women, one additional toilet bowl for each additional 20 women,

b) one toilet bowl for men and one pissoir or urinal per each 10 men, one additional toilet bowl and one pissoir or urinal for each additional 40 men.

(6) The provisions included in item 5 shall apply also to independent catering facilities.

§ 45

(1) The amenities in the parts of accommodation facilities listed under § 45 item 5 and in independent catering facilities must be equipped with extract ventilation, which has to be operational during their entire working times, unless a time regulation system has been installed.

(2) Each accommodation facility has to be connected to the public telephone network. The accommodation facilities with an accommodation capacity exceeding 75 persons have to be equipped with a sound system (radio) enabling to control the evacuation. Accommodation facilities with an accommodation capacity exceeding 30 persons have to be equipped with equipment enabling acoustic and optical alarm signalling.

(3) All emergency routes must be equipped with emergency lighting and with indicated escape directions.

(4) The HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) mains must be made from fireproof materials. The HVAC equipment in the accommodation area must not be connected to the HVAC equipment in the kitchens.

(5) The hygienic limits of chemical, physical and biological indicators for the interior areas of rooms intended for accommodation are prescribed by another legislative regulation (Public Decree No. 6/2003 Coll., by which the hygienic limits of chemical, physical and biological indicators for the interior areas of rooms intended for accommodation in some buildings are governed).

In its Public Decree No. 23/2008 Coll., on the technical conditions of the fire protection of buildings (full wording), the Ministry for Regional Development sets forth:

§ 17

A building of an accommodation facility

(1) In designing a building of an accommodation facility (§ 2 Public Decree No. 501/2006 Coll., on the general requirements for the territory utilisation) it is to be proceeded as suggested by the Czech technical standard mentioned in Annex No. 1 part 1 item 3, if not suggested otherwise.

(2) An escape route inside a building of an accommodation facility must be equipped with emergency lighting. Along this route, no such reflexive surfaces or mirrors may be installed that might confuse the escaping persons and lead them off the main direction of escape.

(3) A protected escape route, as well as any doors, staircases and corridors leading towards it and exits leading out of it, must be fitted with safety signage visible day and night.

(4) The staircases in buildings intended for accommodation with more than three above-ground floors or three and more underground floors must be properly signed at the entrances into each of the floors. The signage shall consist of an ordinal number of the above-ground floor complemented by the letters “NP”, or an ordinal number of the underground floor respectively complemented by the letters “PP”.

(5) A space intended for the accommodating of persons inside buildings other than buildings of an accommodation facility must always form an independent fire section. Maximally 20 beds can be located in one such fire section.

(6) A building of an accommodation facility with the designed capacity over 75 accommodated persons must be equipped with an in-house radio system allowing for forced reproduction.

(7) A building of an accommodation facility, for which no requirement to be equipped with an electric fire signalling system has arisen, must be equipped with the autonomous detection and signalling equipment. Such autonomous detection and signalling equipment must be situated in each guest room, in the shared areas and also in the section leading towards the exit out of the building, unless this is already a part of a protected escape route.

(8) An evacuation lift must be installed inside any building of an accommodation facility providing accommodations with the designed capacity of 20 and more persons and with more than three above-ground floors.

(9) For the spaces intended for accommodating persons inside a building of an accommodation facility with the designed capacity of over 100 accommodated persons, it has to be proven by a test carried out in compliance with the Czech technical standard mentioned in Annex No. 1 of part 10, that

a) combustibility time of the textile curtains and draperies is longer than 20 seconds and
b) upholstery materials are compliant with the combustibility requirements.

(10) Inside a building of an accommodation facility with more than three above-ground floors used for accommodations with the designed capacity of 20 and more persons, fire hose systems enabling initial intervention must be furnished on each floor, namely in the proximity of accesses to staircases or exits from the escape routes and at locations with an increased fire danger, in the distance of maximally 25 m apart.

The Public Decree further coincides with the standard ČSN 73 0833 (730833), fire safety of buildings.

Buildings intended for residing and accommodation

In its Public Decree No. 398/2009 Coll., on the general technical requirements ensuring the unrestrained usage of buildings (full wording), the Ministry for Regional Development has set forth:

The requirements posed on civic facility buildings
§ 6
(1) A civic facility building is:
j) A building of an accommodation facility intended for tourism with an all-year and seasonal operation for more than 20 persons.
(2) The access to all spaces intended to be used by the general public must be ensured via horizontal communications, staircases and concurrently designed barrier-free ramps or lifts. As far as any changes to the already finished buildings and their access points solely to the entrance-level floor are concerned, it is possible to use an elevated platform in justified cases. The requirements posed on the technical solutions are listed in items 1.1.1. to 1.1.4., 1.2.0., 1.2.1.,1.2.10., 2. and 3. of the Annex No. 1 and in item 2. of the Annex No. 3 to this Public Decree.
(3) As far as any changes are concerned to the already finished buildings with at least two floors that are not equipped with a lift or a barrier-free ramp, and neither a lift nor a barrier-free ramp can be provided additionally for technical reasons, at least a barrier-free usage of the entrance-level floor must be ensured. As concerns the public administrative buildings, this floor has to allow for the usage of all services provided inside the building. Inside the buildings with a lift intended for the transportation of persons or of persons and cargos, the persons with an impaired ability of motion or orientation must be allowed to access all floors intended to be used by the general public.
(4) The areas of a building intended to be used by the general public, inclusive of any safety features at the entrance and the exit and any checkout or registration and communication systems ensuring communication between the public and the staff, at least 20 % of the public telephone boxes, self-service information terminals, similar appliances, cash registers and tellers must be technically designed so as to provide for their unrestrained usage by the persons with an impaired ability of motion or orientation. The requirements posed on the technical solutions are quoted in items 1.1.4. through 1.1.8., 1.2.0., 1.2.1., 1.2.8., 1.2.9., 1.2.11. and 1.3. of the Annex No. 1 to this Public Decree and the items 1. through 6. of the Annex No. 3 to this Public Decree. The assigned spaces must be signed by the appropriate symbols pursuant to the Annex No. 4 to this Public Decree.

§ 8
(1) Spaces intended for meetings must ensure at least the following numbers of seats allocated for the persons in wheelchairs out of the total number of seats available: 4 to 25 seats - 1 seat; 26 to 50 seats - 2 seats; 51 to 75 seats - 3 seats; 76 to 100 seats - 4 seats; 101 to 200 seats - 5 seats; 201 to 300 seats - 6 seats; 301 to 500 seats - 7 seats; 501 and more seats – 7, and 1 extra seat for each additional 500 seats. The requirements posed on the specific technical solution is stipulated under item 6.1.1. of the Annex No. 3 to this Public Decree.
(2) Spaces intended for the meetings of 50 and more persons, or any sound enforcement or translation services provided in the cinemas, theatres and halls, must allow for induction reception by the persons with impaired hearing.
(3) In the accommodation facilities intended for tourism and accommodation facilities, at least 5 % of rooms have to meet the requirements listed in items 1.1.1. and 1.1.2. of the Annex No. 1 to this Public Decree and as appropriate also in item 8.1. of the Annex No. 3 to this Public Decree. The resulting number of rooms is to be rounded up to whole numbers.
(4) The publically accessible swimming pools, relaxation and rehabilitation spa areas must ensure a barrier-free access to water via stairs and a swimming pool hoist or via stairs and an elevated rim. The technical requirements are prescribed by item 2. of the Annex No. 1 to this Public Decree and by item 6.1.3. of the Annex No. 3 to this Public Decree.

5. Terminology excerpted from ČSN EN ISO

travel agencies (tour operators) – Terminology of the ČSN EN ISO 13809 Tourism services – Travel agencies defines the following selected terms:

transfer – transportation from one point of tourism services to another point, which may represent the end point of these services or the start point of other tourism services

option – agreement between a tourism services provider and a traveller on the preliminary reservation of certain tourism services that will be available for reservation until a certain date

cancellation by traveller – withdrawal from the contract on a tour or the contract on tourism services by the traveller prior to using the service (the terms of contracts on travelling, accommodation and transportation usually contain information on the dates, specification of the terms or flat cancellation fees)

cancellation fees – expenses arising for the traveller upon withdrawing from a travel contract (note: in general applicable also to the ordered travel services)

no-show – a failure on the traveller´s part to participate at the contractual services

cancellation by the tourism services provider – withdrawal from a travel contract by the tourism services provider prior to the actual delivery of services

single room surcharge – a fee that the traveller pays for being accommodated alone

travel season – a time period, e.g. high season, mid season or off-season, during which the rates may vary according to the actual demand for the particular tourism services

advance – a pre-payment that the traveller pays from the price charged for the tourism services

pay up – a difference between the prepaid advances and the price of the tourism services

passenger ship – a ship designed for the transportation of twelve or more travellers

cabin – a room inside the ship, which can be equipped for accommodation

outer cabin – a cabin with a window or a circular view of the water

inner cabin – a cabin without a window or a circular view

other categories of tourism accommodation – The terminology ČSN EN ISO 18513 Tourism services – Hotels sets forth:

Types of accommodation units:

• single room: a room with a bed for one person
• double room: a room with two beds, namely in the form of one large double bed or two beds standing next to each other
• double room – twin: a room with two separate beds
• multi-bed room: a room with three or more beds
• family room: a room with three or more beds, of which at least two are suitable for adult persons
• common bedroom – a multi-bed room offering beds for persons that may or may not belong to a certain group
• junior suite: accommodation with a dedicated seating area in one room
• suite: accommodation provided in mutually separated rooms interconnected with a bed (bedroom) and settee (living room)
• apartment/suite: accommodations providing a separate room for sleeping and a room with a settee and a kitchenette
• studio: accommodation in one room with a kitchenette
• inter-connected rooms: separate rooms with beds inter-connected via a linking door
• duplex: accommodation on more floors with a dedicated link between the individual floors

Rates:

• Accommodation without breakfast – a rate, where the price of accommodation does not include meals or beverages
• Accommodation with breakfast – a rate, where the price of accommodation includes breakfast
• Half board – a rate, where the price of accommodation includes breakfast and either lunch or dinner
• Full board – a rate, where the price of accommodation includes breakfast, lunch and dinner
• All inclusive, everything included in price – a rate, where the price includes accommodation, food and specified beverages, along with the use of specified facilities

Additional associated terminology:

Selected types of beds:

• Double bed - a bed for two persons (double bed) with one mattress (min. 80x190cm; 180x200cm; 200x200cm )
• Twin beds - two separate beds with two mattresses (min.90x200cm), can possibly be used as a double bed (by positioning the beds tightly next to each other)
• Single bed - a bed for one person with one mattress (min.90x200cm)
• Queen bed - a bed for one person with one mattress (min.150x200cm), often used in special rooms for the ladies, or used in single rooms as “single use”
• King bed - a bed for two persons with one mattress (min. 200x200cm), often a part of a higher room category (e.g. Deluxe room, Junior suite, Suite, Apartment…)
• California king bed - a bed for two persons with one mattress (min 255x230cm)

Food and beverages:

• Continental breakfast – a breakfast containing at least bread, butter, marmalade or jam and a hot beverage
• Extended breakfast – continental breakfast complemented with a wider selection of bread, marmalade or jam, cold beverages and cheeses or cold meat products
• Breakfast in buffet-style (buffet breakfast) – self-service free selection at least in the scope of an extended breakfast
• English breakfast – extended breakfast supplemented with additional hot and cold dishes

Note: it is commonly known as American breakfast in some countries.

Additional services:

• Facilities for the physically handicapped persons – facilities ensuring the specific needs of physically handicapped persons
• Left luggage room – a designated room to keep the luggage of the guests in
• Left skis room
• Dressing room
• Cycle store
• Hotel guest parking – garage, car park
• Laundry service and dry cleaning
• Valet Service – room delivery service
• CCTV service
• In-house security service

Guest facilities:

• Lobby – lobby is an area designated to provide a resting place for the guests and a place where the guests can wait until the hotel services are provided to them, a part of the lobby is occupied by Reception, an area to provide seating to the guests, possibly with the possibility of serving refreshments, with access to the Internet and to the electricity network
• Business Centre – room to provide secretarial services to the guests
• Concierge – information centre for the guests with a possibility of counselling on the availability of local services, arranging for the provision of hotel services as well as the services that the hotel does not have in its own portfolio and that are provided by third parties on a subcontracting basis
• Restaurant – a room to serve food and beverages to the guests with a possibility of catering for the hotel and non-hotel guests, open minimally for lunches and dinners
• Coffee lounge – a social and entertainment sales outlet specialised in serving hot beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and basic refreshments to the guests
• Bar – a social and entertainment sales outlet specialised in serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, equipped with a bar counter and space for seating the guests, with a broad choice of beverages
• Wine room – social and entertainment outlet, whose main focus is on serving wines and small snacks – can also have a similar nature as Restaurant, only with a broader offer of wines
• Guest Relations – hostess - guest relations clerk – ensures communication with the guest both before the arrival and during the stay
• Conference and congress spaces – space technically equipped to host meetings, conferences and social events
• Reception / Reception with a bar – space used for the registration of guests and for the final billing on departure, for providing information and providing services during the guests´ stays. In some cases the Reception may comprise also a Concierge, an exchange office and a bar space
• Supplementary sale – a shop selling supplementary assortment of daily use items for the guests, souvenirs and additional items. This service is sometimes ensured by the Reception.
• Bell staff – ensure the transportation and depositing of the guests´ luggage, information service and possibly also doorman service
• Breakfast restaurant – a room used for serving breakfasts, with a space to seat the guests, consume breakfasts and equipped with the necessary equipment (presentation tables, etc.) according to the nature of the served breakfast (a la carte or buffet)
• Room Service – delivery service of food and beverages a la carte to the rooms
• TV room – a common room or space for the guests designated for watching TV programmes or video
• Reading room – a structurally separated common room or a space for the guests specifically designated for reading
• Function room – a common room or space designated to seat the guests
• Library – a common room or space, in which there are books or other types of media available for the guests to borrow or read/watch
• Game room – a common room or space providing the guests with a selection of games
• Professionally attended daytime room for children – a special room or space, in which the children are under continuous surveillance by a responsible person
• Children´s game room (children´s corner) – a common room or space, which offers equipment and materials designated for children´s entertainment
• Swimming pool – indoor or outdoor pool designated for swimming, which does not have to be heated
• Social and entertainment centre – wine room, bar, coffee lounge, game room, wellness, sports centre and additional services for the guests´ relaxation
• Wellness – a space for the relaxation of the guests
• Pool – indoor and outdoor pool intended for the sports and relaxation purposes
• Fitness – intended for the sports activities of the guests

6. Definition of the categories of accommodation facilities

1. Hotel is an accommodation facility with at least 10 guest rooms equipped for the provision of temporary accommodations and related services (namely catering). It is subdivided into five classes. Hotel garni is equipped to provide only a limited scope of catering services (at least breakfasts) and it is subdivided into four classes.

2. Motel is an accommodation facility with at least 10 guest rooms providing temporary accommodation and related services namely for the motorists and it is subdivided into four classes. These facilities are in the vicinity of overland communications with the possibility of parking. Reception and Restaurant can be situated outside the accommodation section. The accommodation facilities otherwise comply with all the requirements for the category Hotel 1* - 4*.

3. Boarding house is an accommodation facility with at least 5 and maximally 20 guest rooms, with a limited scope of social and supplementary services, and it is subdivided into four classes. The limited catering services subsist in the absence of a Restaurant. However, a boarding house must offer minimally a room for the catering services, which can at the same time be used for the daytime relaxation of the guests.

4. Boatel

Boatel is an accommodation facility situated in a permanently anchored passenger ship.

Boatel is classed maximally into four stars. Boatel is subject to all the requirements and criteria as is the case with hotels of an appropriate class * to ****, except of:

a) it is not possible to place an additional temporary bed into the accommodation section of a cabin (room) in a boatel;

b) the minimum dimensions of a bed including the mattress in a Boatel are 85x195cm

c) minimum residential areas according to the classes:

Category	class	single bed cabin (m2)	double bed cabin (m2)
Boatel	*	8	9
Boatel	**	9	10
Boatel	***	9	10
Boatel	****	10	12

4. Specific hotel facilities:

• Spa hotel
• Wellness hotel
• Resort / Golf resort hotel

Spa Hotel

An accommodation facility, which is situated in a location with the statute of a spa site pursuant to Act No. 164/2001 Coll. (Spa Act) as amended, and which complies with all the requirements posed on the category Hotel and at the same time provides spa treatments pursuant to § 33 Act No. 48/1997 Coll.

Spa hotel garni

An accommodation facility, which is situated in a location with the statute of a spa site pursuant to Act No. 164/2001 Coll. (Spa Act) as amended, and which complies with all the requirements posed on the category Hotel garni and at the same time provides spa treatments pursuant to § 33 Act No. 48/1997 Coll.

Wellness Hotel

An accommodation facility, which complies with all the requirements for the category Hotel 3* - 5* and at the same time provides wellness services, and which will be simultaneously certified according to the outputs of an MMR project entitled “Implementation of the national quality standards in the selected tourism sectors”.

Resort / Golf Resort

An accommodation facility, which complies with the requirements for the category Hotel 3* - 5*, that is represented by an enclosed set of facilities, where a Restaurant and the Reception can be outside the accommodation section. This facility offers possibilities of social-cultural and sports activities. Up to class 4*, the Reception can be operated for a limited time of minimally 18 hours a day.

Golf Resort must, besides the above mentioned aspects, be also equipped with a minimally nine-hole standard course according to the ČGF parameters (Czech Golf Federation).

5. Annexe is a building subordinated to the main accommodation facility, without its own Reception, which is organisationally related to the main accommodation facility that is providing a full range of services corresponding with the appropriate category and class on behalf of the annexe, situated not farther than 500 m from the main unit.

6. Other accommodation facilities:

• campsite (camp ground)
• bungalow site
• tourist hostel

7. The classification of accommodation facilities – division into classes

* Tourist
** Economy
*** Standard
**** First Class
***** Luxury

A maximum of four stars can be awarded to the accommodation facilities in the categories hotel garni, boarding house, motel and annexe.

Those accommodation facilities, which comply better than just right with the mandatory criteria and with the minimum number of voluntary criteria within the individual classification classes, can, except of the „star“ signage, receive also an additional denomination “Superior”.

8. The classification of other categories of accommodation facilities

The classification of other accommodation categories is determined by the document “Recommendations adjusting the fundamental indicators for the provision of accommodation services in the private accommodation facilities, camp sites, bungalow sites and tourist hostels“, with these considerations:

• The Czech association of entrepreneurs in rural tourism and agro-tourism is in charge of “private accommodations”;
• Camp sites and bungalow sites of the Czech Republic – this trading union is in charge of the category “camp sites and bungalow sites”;
• The Czech Tourism Club is in charge of the category “tourist hostels”

9. Methodology of the conferment of Certificates and Classification signs

• Certificates and Classification signs are issued by the Classificatory committee only to those accommodation facilities, which have received a proper final building approval.
• Classification signs in the form of stickers are common, uniform and free from any identification of any professional associations.
• Neither the Certificate nor the Classification sign will become the applicant´s property, they are being leased out to the applicant for the whole duration of their effective conferment. Neither the Certificate nor the Classification sign are transferrable to another operator. The validity of the conferred Certificate and the Classification sign shall expire automatically in case that the operations of a certified accommodation facility are discontinued.
• In accordance with a decision made by the MMR ČR, the Uniform Classification shall remain in the cognizance and responsibility of the professional associations AHR ČR and UNIHOST.
• As the Uniform Classification is of a recommendatory nature, and as it follows the objective of engaging as many accommodation facilities in the whole project as possible, the project developers have chosen a simple yet effective system, which precludes any burdening administrative-wise procedures or any breaching of the objectivity of the decision-making process.
• The proposed solution assumes there will be regular reviews of the requirements posed by the Official standard classification of the accommodation facilities after three-year periods, and also that the awarded Certificates and Classification signs will be renewed.
• The project is supported by the Czech Ministry for Regional Development (MMR CR) and the Czech Tourism Board – CzechTourism.
• The classification shall not substitute any valid final building approvals in the area of structural requirements.

10. Organisational provisions facilitating the conferment of the Certificate and the Classification sign

Classificatory committee as an executive body

The following professional associations shall delegate a common classificatory committee, which will as a rule meet once in two months in the following constitution:

• 3 representatives of the AHR ČR Secretariat
• 2 representatives of the AHR ČR Board
• 2 representatives of UNIHOST
• 1 member of the AHR ČR representing the 5* hotels
• 1 representative of the Consumer Protection Association
• 1 representative of the Czech Consumers Association
• 1 representative of CzechTourism
• 1 representative of the MMR ČR
• 1 representative of SOCR ČR
• 1 representative of the Czech Quality Board union section

Members of the classificatory committee shall elect from among themselves a Chairman for the effective period of the classification. The classificatory committee can withdraw the existing Chairman and appoint a new one through voting by a majority of all the members of the classificatory committee.

The classificatory committee complies with an assumption that each professional association shall accept the applications from the applicants, process them and prepare them for discussion within the common classificatory committee. The declaration made by the applicants to comply with the requirements of the standard classification is made on a honourable basis.

The processing of an application for the issuance of the Certificate and the Classification sign must take place within 60 days of receiving the application. All accommodation facilities asking for the certification must undergo an independent inspection prior to the certification. The inspection of an accommodation facility takes place in the presence of the applicant, it is advised ahead of time, and it is carried out exclusively by two trained inspectors, who will identify them with a valid proof of identity – Inspection Authorisation. Following the collected findings and having assessed the equipment available in the accommodation facility and its services, inclusive of their cleanliness, technical state and quality as compared to a filled-in checklist, the inspector will finally complete an Inspection Report in two counterparts, which both have to be signed by a representative of the applying accommodation facility. A part of the Inspection Report is formed by an overall assessment of the cleanliness and maintenance rated on an assessment scale (Yes, Rather yes, Rather no and No), which will always include the inspectors´ comments. An original of the report is handed over to the classificatory committee which will then discuss the application.

The operator of an accommodation facility can apply for the assignment of even more classes for just one facility. The conferred classes do not have to be successive, each category must however contain minimally five rooms so that it is possible to visibly sign the rooms falling within the given category as being one unit. Common features (part Services) must comply with the highest certified class.

For the application to be honoured, it is necessary for any given classification class to comply with all the mandatory requirements and to gain the minimum number of points prescribed for each class.

The operator of an accommodation facility can file separate applications maximally for the class 4*, and, in case of their positive approval, the annexe can be identified by the classification sign separately. It is always necessary to quote the distance of the annexe in the application form. The fee charged for the conferment of the Certificate and the Classification sign applies to each certified building (annexe). In case of the existence of an enclosed and permanent connection via a corridor, the whole resort shall be considered one single building for the certification purposes.

In case that a complaint is received from a guest or an agent concerning a discrepancy between the reality and the requirements posed on the certified class, an extraordinary inspection is carried out. In case that the discrepancy is not confirmed, the cost of the inspection visit will be borne by the association. In case that the discrepancy is confirmed, the cost shall be covered by the particular accommodation facility at an amount of CZK 3,000 (AHR ČR or UNIHOST member) and CZK 6,000 respectively (others). By filing an application for the conferment of the Certificate and the Classification sign, the operator of an accommodation facility undertakes to settle these costs.

If a regular or extraordinary inspection finds a discrepancy between a statement made by the operator, or the application for conferment of an appropriate Certificate respectively, and the reality, the inspectors will inform the classificatory committee about the identified situation. The classificatory committee shall set a deadline for the alleviation of such deficiencies, in more serious situations it can decide against conferring the Classification sign, or it can withdraw the sign. Distribution of the Certificate and the Classification sign is carried out by the AHR ČR Secretariat following a decision made by the classificatory committee.

It is the committee´s duty to collect information on the development of the hotel product, on the state of the international competition in the area of accommodation capacity sales, information on the level of safety of the guest´s stay in the location and in the facility, and to submit proposals for the completion or adjustment of the Standard Classification.

The classificatory committee discusses the applications for conferment of the hotel class ***** Luxury solely via representation by a responsible member of the classificatory committee who is in charge of the ***** class. This member is responsible for carrying out the inspections (both regular and extraordinary) in the hotels certified as ***** Luxury.

The secretariats shall collect any complaints or suggestions from the customers or agents, organise the inspections and pass the findings on to the classificatory committee. This allows for a comprehensive implementation of the role as representatives of the consumers following the principles of the out-of-court consumer disputes settlement system in terms of the market with accommodation capacities.

A promise of conferment of the Certificates and Classification signs

The classificatory committee shall bestow the Certificate and the Classification sign exclusively to those accommodation facilities, which have already obtained the final building approvals.

Here follows a procedure to be complied with in keeping track of the potential applicants for classification from within the pool of applicants for financial support to be used for the constructions or reconstructions of accommodation facilities:

The applicant shall send an application to the AHR ČR Secretariat or to the UNIHOST secretariat, in which he/she will quote the name and address of the accommodation facility. He/she will indicate, whether the project is a construction or reconstruction of an accommodation facility, will identify its intended category (hotel, boarding house, motel, etc.) and its class (tourist 1*; economy **; standard ***; first class ****; luxury *****).

He/she will furnish the application with a declaration on word of honour stipulating that, latest within a ½ year of receiving a final building approval and putting the accommodation facility into operation, he/she will have the building classified. The applicant will then follow a standard procedure applicable to all the other applicants.

The certification provider shall keep track of the applicants. The provider shall issue to the applicant a written confirmation of the inclusion of his/her application into the tracking system of applicants for certification, which the applicant shall enclose to the application for the financial support to be used for the construction or reconstruction of an accommodation facility.

11. Procedure of obtaining the Certificate and Classification sign

In terms of the Official standard classification of the accommodation facilities in the Czech Republic for the years 2010 – 2012 (hereinafter referred to as Classification ), the Certificate and the Classification sign can be obtained solely by the operators of accommodation facilities. At the same time, these operators can be, but do not have to be, members of the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants or UNIHOST - Association of entrepreneurs in the hospitality, catering and accommodation services (hereinafter referred to as UNIHOST). If they are interested in obtaining the Certificate and the Classification sign, the applicants shall take steps according to this procedure:

1) obtain a valid version of the Official standard classification of the accommodation facilities in the Czech Republic for the period 2010–2012

2) decide, whether they want to have their accommodation facility classified according to the classification, and fully abide by its requirements and terms;

3) self-asses the existing standard of equipment of their accommodation facility according to the terms set by the Classification, choose the corresponding category and its class according to the Classification and possibly alleviate any identified deficiencies or variations; if additional information is required, then the Secretariats of the above-mentioned professional associations are to be contacted;

4) complete the application form along with the requirements checklist following the Methodology, enclose a leaflet or a photograph to the application form. Then the applicant ought to send all the background to one of the selected professional associations to its respective address:

AHR ČR

The Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asociace hotelů a restaurací České republiky)
Revoluční 13, 110 00 Praha 1
e-mail: sekretariat@ahrcr.cz
www.ahrcr.cz

UNIHOST Ostrava

(hereinafter referred to as UNIHOST)

Výstavní 2224/8, 709 00 Ostrava – Mariánské Hory
e-mail: info@unihostostrava.cz
www.unihostostrava.cz

Along with the submitted application for certification, the applicant shall, following a previously received invoice, credit the bank account of the AHR ČR or UNIHOST with a fee charged at the following respective amounts:

Capacity of the accommodation facility	AHR ČR or UNIHOST member	Non-members
up to 20 rooms	2 000,- CZK	4 000,- CZK
up to 100 rooms	4 000,- CZK	8 000,- CZK
over 100 rooms	7 500,- CZK	15 000,- CZK
5* hotels	10 000,- CZK	20 000,- CZK

Having settled the invoice and having complied with all the conditions relating to the certification, the applicant shall receive the Classification sign and the Certificate by postal delivery.

In case of failing to comply with the terms incorporated in the Classification standards, the Certificate and the Classification sign can be withdrawn by the issuing professional association, with that any potential illegal use of the Certificate or the Classification sign in breach of the decision made by the classificatory committee shall be reported to the Czech Business Inspection (Česká obchodní inspekce) to carry out investigations towards disclosing any misinformation provided to the customers.

12. Liability for damage caused to items brought on site or left unattended

This liability is adjusted by § 433 of the Civil Code.

13. Marketing support provided to the classified accommodation facilities and support to the development of the Official Standard Classification system

The Official standard classification of the accommodation facilities in the Czech Republic is a voluntary system, which strives to ensure transparency of the accommodation services and a defined standard of quality for the local and foreign tourists. The system, which is easily accessible and financially unexacting, is also getting increasingly more interesting from the perspective of additional promotion available to the certified facilities.

Following our cooperation with the agency CzechTourism, we have arranged for the kind of support that will surely be attractive for the small, medium and large accommodation facilities. In order to promote the accommodation services and to provide information to the local and foreign tourists, the www.hotelstars.cz website has been established. All certified accommodation facilities are listed in these web pages, along with the links to their home websites, thus offering to the tourists a possibility of making direct reservations of the accommodation services. The website is linked to the portal www.hotelstars.org operated by the confederation HOTREC, which informs about the national classifications of the accommodation facilities in the individual countries of the European Union.

The AHR ČR has created a catalogue of the certified facilities and regularly publishes and updates it. This catalogue, together with additional promotional materials, is available at all representations of the CzechTourism abroad. The catalogues and various materials referring to www.hotelstars.cz are also available at all information centres in the Czech Republic.

An important part of promotion of the certified facilities is also the direct participation at all fairs organised by the agency CzechTourism, both at home and abroad, in the form of promotional materials and catalogues available at the main Czech national exposition stall. At selected fairs abroad and in the Czech Republic, the classified facilities are promoted directly by the exhibition stand Hotelstars.cz, which is regularly arranged by the employees of the AHR ČR Secretariat.

All activities are building an image of the classified accommodation facilities as being ones that provide guaranteed quality of the equipment and services. This guarantee is ensured also by the fact that not every facility will pass an audit performed by independent auditors ranging from a pool of trained industrial specialists prior to the conferment of the Certification, and also by each customer having a possibility, in case of any doubts or comments concerning the equipment or the guaranteed services, to forward their complaints straight to the AHR ČR Secretariat, which will subsequently help resolve the situation in coordination with the particular certified facility and will communicate the progress with the customer.

The brand of the Official classification of accommodation facilities is systematically built and strengthened up by all the participating entities and it can be expected that it will be preferred not only by the customers themselves, but also by the institutions enforcing the promotion and development of tourism at the state administration and municipal levels.

The accommodation facilities, which will be certified according to the valid Official standard classification of the accommodation facilities, are, or will be, supported marketing-wise and distinguished at the web portals www.expedia.com, www.czechtourism.com, www.czecot.com, www.hotelquide.cz, www.firmy.cz, www.dohotelu.cz, www.dopenzionu.cz. An even more extended cooperation is in the pipeline with additional internet portals, both at the national and international level.

Thanks to the creation of a common classification system involving also the neighbouring states of Germany, Austria and Hungary, the common Hotelstars Union system is going to be supported marketing-wise in coordination with these countries.

14. AHR ČR Ethics Code

The Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants (hereinafter referred to as AHR ČR) as an open voluntary association of subjects operating in the areas of hospitality, tourism and neighbouring industries, aims, besides defending and asserting the interests of the industry, also at that all its activities should be in compliance with the broadly recognised ethic rules of proper business practices and human relationships in a democratic society. This Ethics Code (hereinafter referred to as “Code”) is declared by the General Assembly in compliance with the Association´s Bylaws and, at the same time, it calls upon its partners to adopt a similar approach in their interactions and relationships.

The AHR ČR Ethics Code is a document summarising the rules for the behaviours of the members, who accept it by joining the Association, openly declare their compliance with the set rules and are aware of the fact that, in case of their violation and failing to provide for a due remedy, their membership can be terminated by decision of the Board of the Association without any entitlement to compensation of an aliquot part of the already paid membership fee.

1. Global Ethics Code of Tourism
The AHR ČR supports the Resolution of the 13^th General Assembly of the World Tourism Organisation of 21.12.2001 and the Global Ethics Code of Tourism adopted therein. The Association and its Members undertake by this document to actively share in seeking the forms and paths leading towards the optimisation of conditions enabling the performance of entrepreneurial activities in the areas of hospitality and accommodation services, and subsequently also to support the development of tourism as an important factor driving the sustainable development.

2. Steps towards repairing and maintaining the renown of the industry
The AHR ČR pays increased attention to informing the public on the catering and accommodation services provided by its members. This entails also performances or participation of the company at publically beneficial culture and social events and providing information on their organising to the media and to the Secretariat of the Association to implement them on a broader scale. The Association and its Members carry out such steps that will lead to improving the renown of the hospitality, accommodation services and tourism industries.

3. Adherence to legal regulations and provisions
Members of the Association abide by the effective legislative norms, however, at the same time they refuse protectionism and redundant legislative, while their accounting evidence is maintained in compliance with the valid regulations and provisions and the fees and taxes are duly paid. Members of the association support the collection of statistical data in knowing the processed data will help develop and better plan their business activities. The members have their outlets visibly signed to identify their registered trade name, address of the outlet and a name of the responsible person in charge of dealing with customer claims or operational issues.

4. Customer rights protection
The customer shall have the right to buy the goods or services in the quality that is compliant with the regulations, standards and norms. The customer is given true information regarding the kind and level of services or goods provided, along with a clearly declared type, amount and price of the goods or services and the terms of purchase/sale and the associated costs. The members shall not discriminate against their customers on the ground of their nationality, gender, colour of skin, political opinions, sexual orientation or religion. The issued sales document complying with the statutory requirements has a clearly declared price of the service and all applicable taxes and fees displayed in it.
It is ensured that any potential disputes or customer claims are resolved quickly and effectively.
Businesses are operated with due consideration being given to adapting their operational conditions so as to allow for trouble-free stays of the handicapped persons.

5. Compliance with the contractual obligations in business and customer-supplier relationships
Members of the AHR ČR do not adopt in their relationships with the suppliers or other business entities any misguiding or deceitful information, by which they might harm these entities or any other subjects in the market. In their day-to-day activities, they acknowledge and respect the rules of free and fair competition. In their activities, they strive for serious adherence to the serious maintenance of the contractual relationships (inclusive of the verbal ones). They consider payment discipline to be a basis for sound relationships, they anticipate any potential conflicts of interests, corruption or other manifestations of “grey economy” in their dealings with the state administration bodies and the public sector.

6. Protection of the health of customers and employees
The protection of the health of customers is a priority. To this end, the members consistently abide by the hygienic standards and regulations in all operational parts of their facilities. It is a fundamental obligation of the operator of a catering or accommodation facility to maintain the rules of care for the personal hygiene and cleanliness of all employees, as well as of the cleanliness of all spaces, facilities and equipment inside the establishments.

7. Care for the workplaces and labour-law relations
Members of the Association shall create such adequate working conditions for their employees that will reflect the specifics of their particular jobs and job contents. The relationship between an employer and employee is based on mutual respect. The employers shall provide information relating to the performance of the jobs, create conditions for the development of qualifications, eliminate any manifestations of discrimination at workplace, pay attention to fair rewarding and respect social dialog while maintaining the economic stability and development of the business.
As concerns the labour-law relations, it is proceeded in compliance with the effective legal regulations, with all the health, social security and additional required insurances being duly paid.

8. Care for the young generation, professional development
Children and juveniles in the outlets of the members of the Association are protected against the harmful health effects caused by any hazardous or addictive substances, namely by banning these substances from being served or consumed within all spaces. Members shall responsibly approach the area of professional training provided to the apprentices and students of vocational schools by enabling practical interns in their establishments, while care is taken for the development of manual abilities and skills, moral qualities, responsibility for the personal cleanliness and hygiene, positive environmental approach, performance of on-job activities and assigned tasks, standards of sophisticated manners towards the customers, loyalty towards the employer and colleagues at the workplace at a maximum extent possible.

9. Support to local culture and social traditions
Besides their economic mission, the hospitality or accommodation facilities play also an important role of being a cultural and social facility used by the local citizens, and they also create groundwork for the development of tourism. Guests are being provided with information on the local customs and traditions, specialities of the local cuisine, culture sights and natural landmarks of the particular location and its immediate vicinity while staying in these facilities. The facilities cooperate with additional subjects (state administration, municipality, business community, etc.) within their possibilities towards developing the region and the tourism business inside the region.

10. Ecology and sustainable development
All business operations are to be carried out in compliance with the program of sustainable development ensuring the development of tourism, while preserving the natural and cultural heritage at the same time. The members not only create suitable conditions in terms of their business activities, but through their behaviours they similarly influence also other subjects in their neighbourhood.

11. Marketing and competitive environment
Members of the Association abide by the rules of fair business, advertising and marketing procedures by taking the following steps:

1. they do not use any misleading, deceitful or unfair business practices, which can potentially cause the risk of harming the customers or additional entities active in the market;
2. all and every information on themselves or on any goods or services provided by them is to be communicated in a clear, prominent, accurate and easily accessible manner, more strictly then the statutory requirements ask for; no information shall be disclosed that may be potentially misleading, deceitful or unfair;
3. they act in compliance with all their public proclamations made with reference to their business policy and company procedures;
4. they quote the identity of the establishment in their advertising and marketing activities whenever failing to make such a quotation might be deceitful;
5. they are able to provide evidence of the performance of any pronounced or implied public statements for the whole duration of their publication and for an adequate time afterwards.

Prague, 10.11.2009

Used sources:

• Public Decree of the Ministry for regional development No. 501/2006 Coll., on the general requirements for the utilisation of the territory as amended
• Public Decree of the Ministry for regional development No. 268/2009 Coll., on the general technical requirements posed on buildings
• Public Decree Ministry for regional development No. 23/2008 Coll., on the technical conditions of the fire protection of buildings
• Public Decree of the Ministry for regional development No. 369/2001 Coll., on the general technical requirements ensuring the usage of buildings by the persons with impaired ability of motion and orientation
• ČSN EN ISO 13809 Tourism services – Travel agencies and tour operators – Terminology
• ČSN EN ISO 18513 Tourism services – Hotels and other categories of tourist accommodations – Terminology

Environmental aspects

The applicant will provide evidence of his/her environmental activities in at least three of the following areas:

Energy consumption reduction

• temperature control for each room individually (thermo regulators)
• automatic air-condition switching off on opening a window in the room
• location of refrigerators in accordance with the energy saving rules (they must not stand next to a cooker, a heater or in direct sunlight)
• energy efficient electrical appliances (energy class A)
• information with a request asking the guests to turn down all the lights on departing from the room, and to switch off all electric appliances, the air-conditioning and heating while the room is being vented.

Water consumption reduction

• the water flow rate on the taps and shower heads may not exceed 12 litres per minute (water sparklers, water saving shower heads)
• towels in the bathroom replaced only upon guest requests
• use of rain water and recycled water for technical purposes

Waste disposal reduction and proper waste management

• classifying wastes according to the local possibilities of collection of wastes (classification by containers)
• consistent classification of hazardous wastes (e.g. flashbulbs, toners, batteries, medicals, electric wastes)
• use of reusable packaging for beverages (soft drinks, water, beer) in a maximum extent possible
• reduce the use of disposable products (shampoos, soaps, shower gels, shower caps)
• information for the guests on the possibilities and methods of classifying wastes
• use containers for used fats with their subsequent collection and environmental-friendly processing

Staff training in the environmental care and guest interaction areas

• staff training to increase the environmental consciousness and awareness of the adopted measures
• regular collection and assessment of the data on the consumption of energy, water and cleaning agents
• information for the guests on the possibilities of use of the public transport
• information for the guests on the local landscape and its landmarks
• informing the guests about the environmental policy of the particular accommodation facility (wastes classification requests)

Furnishing proof of some of the ECO-Certificates