Hotels found to be overcharging will face a 30-point deduction in their rating scores. The previously separate evaluation criteria for different star ratings will be unified, and safety and hygiene assessments will be significantly strengthened. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced plans to overhaul the hotel rating evaluation system to reflect changes in the tourism and accommodation environment.
The ministry stated that the revised guidelines for the "Delegation of Hotel Rating Determination and Related Procedures" will take effect on July 1.
This revision aims to streamline the evaluation system, which varied by star rating, reducing the administrative burden on the hotel industry while better reflecting the quality of service and safety management experienced by consumers.
The criteria for determining the ratings of tourist hotels, which were previously categorized into 1-2 star, 3-star, and 4-5 star, will now be consolidated into a single system. This change is intended to simplify the process for hotels preparing for evaluations. The scoring criteria for each star rating will also be adjusted to align with the unified standards.
Evaluations will occur in two stages. The first stage involves a site visit based on documents submitted by the business after prior notification, while the second stage will be conducted without prior notice. For 4- and 5-star hotels, evaluators will maintain a "mystery guest" approach, staying overnight to assess service quality and operational standards.
If the evaluation results are lower than the requested rating, the business can either accept the results or choose to defer the rating and undergo a re-evaluation. Conversely, if the evaluation results exceed the requested rating, the business can select between the new rating and the previously requested one. However, the evaluation methods differ for 1-2-3 star and 4-5 star hotels, meaning a hotel applying for a 1-2-3 star rating cannot receive a 4-5 star rating even if the evaluation results are high.
Safety and hygiene evaluations will also be enhanced. Fire prevention and facility safety management standards will be improved, and hygiene assessment criteria will be further detailed. The criteria for penalties and deductions will be adjusted to reflect social values such as data protection and eco-friendly management.
Notably, the penalties for overcharging have been significantly increased. Hotels that charge unfair fees will face a 30-point deduction, which is expected to have a considerable impact on their overall rating, as ratings are determined by cumulative evaluation scores.
New evaluation metrics tailored for medical tourism hotels will also be introduced. These metrics will consider the characteristics of medical tourists, incorporating assessments of medical-related services and convenience to enhance the specialization of accommodations for medical tourism.
Kang Dong-jin, Director of Tourism Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "This revision aims to reduce the burden on the hotel industry while ensuring greater safety and convenience for the public. We hope the new evaluation system will be established smoothly and improve the quality of hotel services in the country."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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