Israeli hotels to adopt European star ratings
Israeli hotels, including properties in the Red Sea holiday resort of Eilat, will adopt Europe’s star rating system within the next eight months.
The Knesset Economic Affairs Committee announced this week that hotels would be rated according to 267 criteria, including the availability of facilities such as lifts, swimming pools and children’s play areas.
Tourism minister Stas Misezhnikov said this would lower room rates as consumers will be able to compare hotels more easily, but the Israel Hotels Association told Israeli financial newspaper Globes that it could lead to higher prices as hotels will invest in renovations to raise their ratings and charge more money.
Although Israel’s hotels have not used the international star rating system for more than 20 years, UK tour operators have applied their own ratings to properties in Eilat. For example, Red Sea specialist Longwood Holidays lists the Isrotel Royal Beach as a 5L Deluxe and the Isrotel Riviera Club as a 3L.
The new rating system will not apply to bed and breakfast accommodation or to apartment hotels.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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