The Review of the Australian STAR Rating Standards for the Motel Category is almost complete. AAA Tourism will continue with field testing of the new Standards over the next few months. Implementation of the new Scheme is anticipated to commence in the second half of 2009.
This update is to provide you with information on the following areas for your comment-
- Moratoriums – the time allowance given for the implementation of some new Minimum Requirements
- Weightings across the three key areas of Assessment
- List of Standards added, changed and removed
We will continue to provide you with updates over the coming months.
1. MORATORIUMS
Moratoriums will be applied for some new Minimum Requirements (previously referred to as Essential Items) where it is felt that significant capital expenditure may be required. Click here for a full list of proposed Minimum Requirements.
Moratoriums for Facilities & Services
Properties will have until 1st February, 2010 to comply with the following Minimum Requirements:
|
STAR LEVEL |
Item |
|
3 & 3.5 STAR |
Light Breakfast Available |
|
Guidelines |
A light breakfast is deemed as fruit juice, cereal, bread/toast, spreads, coffee/tea. |
|
4, 4.5 & 5 STAR |
Full Cooked Breakfast & Light Breakfast Available |
|
Guidelines |
A cooked breakfast shall consist of a continental breakfast (fruit juice, cereal, bread/toast, spreads, tea/coffee) and a selection of hot options (minimum 3). |
|
4, 4.5 & 5 STAR |
Cable/Satellite Television (6+ channels) |
|
Guidelines |
Multi channel entertainment through pay/cable/satellite networks with 6 channels or more. This does not include free to air channels (eg: channel 9, 10, 7, 31, SBS & ABC). |
|
4, 4.5 & 5 STAR |
Broadband Internet Service Available |
|
Guidelines |
Property provides broadband internet access. Allowance if Broadband Services unavailable in the area. |
Moratorium for Quality & Condition
The following Minimum Requirements for Quality & Condition will be established for each STAR level:
Should properties not meet the Minimum Requirement for Quality & Condition respective to the STAR level, the following moratoriums will apply:
|
POSITION OF
PROPERTY TODAY |
FIRST ASSESSMENT UNDER NEW REQUIREMENTS |
SECOND ASSESSMENT UNDER NEW REQUIREMENTS |
|
Property has received Assessment Report with Areas of Concern noted for Appearance & Décor
|
If STAR Rating is downgraded due to Quality & Condition, allowance will be given with downgrade of only ˝ STAR.
|
STAR Rating awarded based on outcome of this Assessment.
|
|
Property has not received Assessment Report with Areas of Concern noted for Appearance & Décor
|
If STAR Rating is downgraded due to Quality & Condition, STAR Rating will be retained but property given notice of Areas of Concern on Quality & Condition.
|
STAR Rating awarded based on outcome of this Assessment.
|
2. REWEIGHTING OF POINTS
AAA Tourism has undertaken extensive consumer research to assist in better understanding where consumers place value when staying in various styles of accommodation. This research has assisted AAA Tourism in reweighting points in this Scheme Category.
Your STAR Rating will be determined based on achieving:
- Minimum Requirements at each STAR level – click here to view Minimum Requirements
- A percentage score achieved in each of three key areas of Assessment:
o Provision of Facilities & Services
o Cleanliness
o Quality & Condition
The score is achieved by accumulating points across 300+ items which have been weighted according to what consumers value.
Your Assessment Report will provide you with information that indicates your score across the three key areas in various sections of the property, as well as the maximum possible score. This will assist you in understanding where your property sits and where you can improve your property if needed.
The following table shows broadly the emphasis of where points will be allocated.
|
MOTEL |
FACILITIES & SERVICES |
CLEANLINESS |
QUALITY & CONDITION |
|
ROOM/AREA |
MAX POSSIBLE % |
MAX POSSIBLE % |
MAX POSSIBLE % |
|
Bed Area (includes bedding, mattress, furnishings, clothes storage, privacy, floor space and lighting) |
22% |
22% |
22% |
|
General In Room Facilities (includes Entertainment Facilities, Lounge Seating, Tea/coffee making facilities, heating/cooling, ironing facilities, communication, security & safety) |
13% |
17% |
17% |
|
Bathroom |
15% |
21% |
19% |
|
Guest Services (includes reception hours, customer service, off site laundry service) |
10% |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Public Areas (includes reception, on site guest laundry facilities) |
9% |
12% |
11% |
|
Food and Beverage (includes provision of breakfast, room service and restaurant) |
12% |
10% |
11% |
|
Recreation Facilities |
10% |
10% |
9% |
|
Exterior (includes parking, gardens, signage, pathways and building) |
9% |
8% |
11% |
|
FINAL SCORE |
100% |
100% |
100% |
The Final Scores achieved in the three key areas, as well as meeting Minimum Requirements, determines your STAR Rating.
Click here for further information on How Your STAR Rating would be Determined.
3. STANDARDS - NEW, CHANGED OR REMOVED
Within the Motel Category the list of Standards have been reviewed to ensure that AAA Tourism is keeping up with consumer expectations and industry trends.
New Standards include ....
* Quality & Condition Standards
The previous Assessment of Appearance & Décor and Maintenance has been replaced with a more comprehensive assessment of Quality & Condition of various items/areas. These items/areas are shaded in blue on the full list of Standards.
Quality & Condition will be Assessed using supporting Guidelines that have been developed by AAA Tourism in conjunction with a number of specialists including interior designers, bedding and furniture manufacturers. Overall coordination in the rooms/areas is also assessed. This Assessment evaluates how appointments in the room are combined to create a consistency in style, design and theme.
Draft guidelines for the Assessment of Quality & Condition are being finalised through field testing and will be released in the next month.
* Customer Service Standards
AAA Tourism will recognise properties that have achieved a Tourism Accreditation Australia Ltd endorsed programme as this incorporates assessment of customer service practices. Properties that have not obtained Accreditation can be rewarded for providing opportunities for 'Guest feedback' (e.g. guestbook, online surveys) and 'Staff induction & continual improvement programmes' (e.g. employees handbook, policies & procedures manual, staff training programme).
Changed Standards include ....
* Measurement tolerances
Some
Document: 
Minimum Requirements Motel Star Rating 2009.pdf
