Regional governments, PHRI to rate hotels
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The central government has issued a new decree which transfers its decades long authority to assess and rate hotels to regional governments and the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).
R. Sarwono, deputy for Tourism Development at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture said that in the past, approval for hotel classification had been the sole authority of the central government.
Under the new decree, hotel classification or rating would be jointly issued by regional governments and PHRI.
"PHRI will issue certificates which will be approved by the governor. PHRI and regional government would share authority," Sarwono told the Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
The new decree will take effect next month.
Representatives from hotel customers would also be involved in the assessment to maintain objectivity, Sarwono said.
"PHRI will arrange a mystery guest on the assessment," he said.
The hotel assessment, Sarwono said, would cover basic requirements such as hotel permits, building permits and supporting facilities. It would also cover operational requirement such as services and management.
Those who did not meet requirements according to their classification would be given time to complete improvements.
Sarwono said that the new system would have a positive impact on the hotel industry as hotel managers would be forced to be more professional and responsible for their products.
"Those who can offer better services will be able to win more customers," he remarked.
Yanti Sukamdani Hardjoprakoso, chairwomen of PHRI said that the coming hotel assessment would focus more on services and management, not only the physical aspects.
Yanti said that with the new system hotel classification would be better because assessments were conducted by professional institutions.
At present, hotels are classified into five rating categories: five stars, four stars, three stars, two stars and one star according to facilities and services they offer.