Local 3-Star hotels are generally offering a higher quality than that found across Europe .
One can clearly see that the local hoteliers are generally offering a higher quality than their counterparts abroad . This is more so in the 3-Star level where a better product is being offered than that offered across Europe . But to understand the reality of the 3-Star classification this becomes clearer when the market is at its lowest , what we call the shoulder period , generally November to early March . At the time of year occupancy starts dropping and the 3-Star hotels start really feeling the pinch . The reality of it all is that if in this period the 4- and 5-Star hotels lower their rates , then the 3-Stars too have to reduce theirs to remain in the running . Clients tend to reason on the lines of whether it is worthwhile going to a 3-Star hotel when a few Euros more can put them in a 4 star one . This is probably why in Malta the 4-Star hotels tend to do better than the 3-Star ones . And there are more 4-Star than 3-Star hotels in Malta .
“ Why is the rate of this 3-Star hotel higher than another ?”
The persisting argument with tour operators is that their clients do not know the difference between the quality of one hotel and that of another . For them the question is “ why is the rate of this 3-Star hotel higher than another ?” This clearly shows that the classification system needs to be looked at and improved . That the HOTREC classification system which the EU has put together is a benchmark for classifications – and this has already been taken up by Malta too – is an improvement . But more needs to be done . HOTREC sets the standards for the whole of Europe under which one can operate a hotel and what the classification expects them to deliver in terms of service and quality . Yet this harmonisation exercise needs to also be more nationally reflective , taking in more local requirements than it already does .
The local 3-Star hotels and the rest of Europe
Repeat clients often result from staff becoming friends with clients ... inviting them home for a family Sunday meal . These personal friendships are the result of having good staff and are very common but especially so in the 3-Star category where one needs to be close to the clients .
HOSPITALITY MALTA Q1 | 2017
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