Added: 04/16/2006 |
IHA - the leading researcher of German hotel industryThe IHA (German Hotels Association) is a leading association in Germany that studies hotel market tendencies, draws yearly statistics and databases as well as makes a comprehensive prognosis for the further development of the German hotel market. For its one thousand members, the IHA provides industry reports that show important changes, developments and operating results. The IHA annual reports feature all positive and negative changes in the German hotel industry development. For instance, in 2003, the IHA presented a comprehensive report and study of the German hotel industry decline as well as cleared out reasons and possible consequences.
The Association also puts an emphasis on the quality management in the hotel industry and characterizes new trends and developments as to provide relevant data for numerous hotels that can incorporate innovations thus enhance the hotel management of each property. In 2001, the IHA joined with the DEHOGA (German Hotel and Restaurant Association) and these two formed a significant union to support, regulate and promote the entire hospitality industry of Germany. Exclusively, they offer professional and specialized services to their members.
The IHA conveniently classifies hotels into luxury, private, gourmet, wellness, chain and private facilities so that a traveler can choose a hotel that conforms not only to his cash, but also to his lifetime hobby or interest. This classification is based on an individual approach to interests of each customer as well as creates an individual profile and image of each German hotel. In addition to the IHA classification of hotels, there is an official hotel classification for all German Hotels, elaborated and established by the DEHOGA due to their slogan "More security and transparency for tourists", where the principle is more stars, more characteristics must be present. According to this classification, the hotels are subdivided into five star categories that include Tourist, Standard, Comfort, Roofridge Class, Luxury and Special Forms. The classification is based on objective criteria only. Individual evaluations are emotional and subjective and this hotel rating does not reflect subjective areas. Such aspects as the general conditions of the building, the furniture and the basics of accommodation facilities are considered.
For a foreign visitor, this classification, placed on the IHA and DAHOGA websites, comes very valuable and important, as foreign tourists often get confused at hotel ratings and classifications. The classification is open to all licensed types of accommodation facilities, while German guests are offered an expressive and reliable short message about quality standards of hotels within a star symbol scheme. The aim of introducing a nationally recognized classification into the German hotel industry is not only to familiarize nationals and foreigners with hotel rates, but also to raise quality standards and allow independent medium-size hotels to be booked via computer reservation systems. The classification criteria are controlled and updated regularly as to conform to global tendencies of the international hotel industry.
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