Swiss Hotel Stars to Shine Brighter in 2006

Olten (ots) - The delegates at the winter meeting of hotelleriesuisse have approved a motion to adapt the hotel classification system so as to better meet the needs of future hotel guests. Beginning in 2006, Swiss hotel stars are expected to shine more brightly thanks to increased proprietary protection, the introduction of the honorary designation "Superior", greater quality assurance and independent auditing.

A large majority of the delegates of hotelleriesuisse, the leading association of Swiss hotels, voted in favour today of revising the system for classifying hotels.

The Swiss hotel classification system is the core competence of hotelleriesuisse and has been applied throughout Switzerland since 1979 for the sake of evaluating the service quality, infrastructure and facilities of member hotels in accordance with uniform standards. The star system offers the guest important general guidance when it comes to selecting a hotel. Classified hotels account for more than 80% of all overnight stays booked in Switzerland.

While the philosophy of the new hotel classification system is oriented to the needs and wishes of hotel guests in the year 2010, the following 4 major revisions are to come into effect in 2006:

The proprietary protection of the hotel star is to be expanded: reference to or use of the hotel classification system's standards may only be made with the consent of hotelleriesuisse as well as documentation concerning the relevant auditing competence. Furthermore, the hotel stars may only be published together with the official trademark of hotelleriesuisse. The introduction of an honorary designation "Superior" creates a new class of distinction in the 3, 4 and 5-star hotel categories. Aspects such as quality management and service diversity are to play a central role in the conferring of the "Superior" distinction. The goal is to establish a selection of 10-15% Superior hotels per category.

The new hotel classification system takes account of the efforts of individual hotels and/or hotel groups in the area of quality management. Certification here is based on the 3 requirement levels established for the quality label of the Swiss tourism sector.

The formal and material independence of the representatives and organs of the hotel classification system is to be established as indispensable. Unannounced audits are also to be given greater weight.

Hotels located outside of Switzerland may also apply for membership at hotelleriesuisse.

Mr. Riet Frey President of the Hotel Classification Commission & owner of Hotel Meierhof in Davos

MOBILE: +41 79 216 51 02

Telephone: +41 81 416 82 85

hotelleriesuisse

Ms. Isabel Garcia Communication Director

MOBILE: +41 79 652 85 19

Telephone: +41 31 370 42 86

E-Mail: isabel.garcia@swisshotels.ch

Mr. Christian Hodler Assistant Director

Telephone: +41 31 370 43 31

E-Mail: christian.hodler@swisshotels.ch

Internet: www.swisshotels.ch